Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: These open woodlands have canopies dominated by stunted Pinus rigida and Quercus alba. Although the relative basal area for the two species is the same, Pinus rigida is twice as dense as Quercus alba. Other canopy and subcanopy trees may include Tsuga canadensis, Acer rubrum, and Oxydendrum arboreum. Shrub cover is sparse, typically forming less than 10% coverage and occurring in clumps. Shrub species include Physocarpus opulifolius, Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides, Vaccinium stamineum, Kalmia latifolia, and a low, stoloniferous form of Rhododendron viscosum. Smilax glauca is a common vine. The dense herbaceous stratum is dominated by cespitose graminoids, most commonly Andropogon gerardii, Sporobolus heterolepis, and Schizachyrium scoparium. Common forbs include Packera plattensis (= Senecio plattensis), Hexastylis arifolia var. ruthii, and Thalictrum macrostylum. Other herbaceous species known to occur in this community include Poa saltuensis, Muhlenbergia glomerata, Danthonia spicata, Danthonia compressa, Sorghastrum nutans, Panicum virgatum, Dichanthelium dichotomum, Dichanthelium boscii, Elymus trachycaulus ssp. trachycaulus, Deschampsia cespitosa, Castilleja coccinea, Carex woodii, Symphyotrichum undulatum (= Aster undulatus), Symphyotrichum laeve (= Aster laevis), Oenothera fruticosa, Thaspium trifoliatum, and Phlox stolonifera. Regionally uncommon species or species disjunct from their main distributions include Carex woodii, Deschampsia cespitosa (= ssp. glauca), Elymus trachycaulus, Frasera caroliniensis, Gentianopsis crinita, Muhlenbergia glomerata, Pedicularis lanceolata, Poa saltuensis, Polygala paucifolia, Polygala senega, Packera plattensis, and Sporobolus heterolepis (Schafale and Weakley 1990).

Dynamics:  The open, grassy woodland structure of this community is probably determined by a combination of site conditions and periodic disturbances. The dry grassy vegetation is flammable and recovery of woody species following a fire may be slow. The natural fire frequency for this woodland is not known. In the absence of occasional fire, shrub density increases and herbaceous cover decreases. However, the overstory composition and structure is likely maintained, at least in part, by the harsh soil conditions. Within the past 30 years, the overstory in this community has been significantly reduced because of infestations of southern pine beetle. Periodic fire will help maintain the graminoid-dominated understory. Fire should be applied with the objective of maintaining a physiognomic complex of woodland, forest, and grass-dominated areas.