Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Bushy Bluestem Ruderal Marsh

Colloquial Name: Ruderal Bushy Bluestem Marsh

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This broadly defined type represents wetland old fields and other related situations dominated by the nominal species Andropogon glomeratus var. pumilus. This vegetation occurs in disturbed wetland sites such as old fields (particularly old fields in bottomlands), as well as low areas and ditches in old fields. It is at least potentially found in the Coastal Plain and some adjacent areas from the Carolinas south and west to Texas. Additional types may be developed as more information becomes available.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This type may be too broadly defined. It apparently originated as some form of maritime grassland, presumably representing natural vegetation at least in the Carolinas, but was later extended to take in more semi-natural vegetation. This fact created some lack of clarity about the existence of this type in North Carolina where Mike Schafale also held the notion that this type was a maritime grassland, due to previous conversations with Alan Weakley. When informed of the current description he suggested he was not sure that this type, as currently defined, truly exists in NC, and he may prefer to drop it as a type. However, there really does appear to be a natural type out there (hiding!) along the coast. It is unclear if this maritime grassland would be covered by some other association or would have to be placed here. Some data on such a natural type may include Brown (1959) (Vegetation of the Outer Banks) who noted areas dominated by "dense grasses such as Andropogon glomeratus, Muhlenbergia capillaris, several spp. of Panicum, and a small quantity of Spartina patens. The herbaceous plants are Asteraceae sp., Solidago sempervirens var. mexicana, and Rhynchospora colorata. There are usually a few dwarf specimens of Quercus virginiana, Ilex vomitoria, Baccharis halimifolia" (Brown 1959 [p. 35]).This type may be related to ~Spartina bakeri - Muhlenbergia filipes - Andropogon glomeratus - Rhynchospora colorata Marsh (CEGL004511)$$ described to the south. Brown (1959) described these areas as slightly elevated, flat top, circular mounds with no definite pattern. They occurred in areas surrounded by poorly drained areas which held 25-30 cm (10-12 inches) of standing water following Hurricane Hazel (1954). Additional types may be developed as more information becomes available. As currently described, this is primarily a successional "semi-natural" vegetation type.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available

note: No Data Available