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CEGL007705 Andropogon gerardii - (Andropogon glomeratus, Panicum virgatum, Sorghastrum nutans) Grassland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Big Bluestem - (Bushy Bluestem, Switchgrass, Indiangrass) Grassland
Colloquial Name: Southeastern Highland Rim Barrens (Big Bluestem - Bushy Bluestem Wet-Mesic Type)
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association covers wet-mesic to seasonally inundated perennial deep soil grasslands of the southeastern Highland Rim of Tennessee and possibly related areas of Kentucky. This vegetation is dominated by Andropogon glomeratus, Andropogon gerardii, Panicum virgatum, Sorghastrum nutans, and Schizachyrium scoparium (var. scoparium and var. divergens), in patches of various combinations and percent covers depending on degree of wetness. Wettest areas are dominated by Andropogon glomeratus, which also indicates some of the southern geographical affinities of this association. Additional common graminoid species include Aristida purpurascens var. virgata, Calamagrostis coarctata, Chasmanthium laxum, Dichanthelium aciculare, Dichanthelium dichotomum, Dichanthelium scoparium, Eleocharis microcarpa, Gymnopogon brevifolius, Panicum anceps, Panicum verrucosum, and Rhynchospora glomerata. Important nongraminoids include Helianthus angustifolius, Eupatorium pilosum, Eupatorium rotundifolium, Lespedeza capitata, Apios americana, Pycnanthemum muticum, Symphyotrichum dumosum, Smilax rotundifolia, Smilax glauca, Solidago odora, Solidago rugosa, Potentilla simplex, Pteridium aquilinum, Osmunda regalis, and Acer rubrum. Also abundant are Polytrichum commune, Sphagnum spp., and other mosses.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Described from Arnold Air Force Base, Coffee County, Tennessee. See also ~Andropogon gerardii - Schizachyrium scoparium - (Calamagrostis coarctata, Panicum virgatum) Grassland (CEGL007706)$$, which is typically not as wet. Currently the best habitat for this vegetation is found in seasonally inundated powerline rights-of-way, which are mowed annually in the fall. This or closely related vegetation could occur as remnants in the "Jackson Purchase" of Kentucky (Upper East Gulf Coastal Plain, TNC Ecoregion 43, 222Cb:C). These geographical attributes are being placed on this association for the time being until more information can be obtained.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This vegetation is dominated by Andropogon glomeratus, Andropogon gerardii, Panicum virgatum, Sorghastrum nutans, and Schizachyrium scoparium (var. scoparium and var. divergens), in patches of various combinations and percent covers depending on degree of wetness. Wettest areas are dominated by Andropogon glomeratus, which also indicates some of the southern geographical affinities of this association. Additional common graminoid species include Aristida purpurascens var. virgata (= Aristida virgata), Calamagrostis coarctata, Chasmanthium laxum, Dichanthelium aciculare (= Dichanthelium angustifolium), Dichanthelium dichotomum, Dichanthelium scoparium, Eleocharis microcarpa, Gymnopogon brevifolius, Panicum anceps, Panicum verrucosum, and Rhynchospora glomerata. Important nongraminoids include Helianthus angustifolius, Eupatorium pilosum, Eupatorium rotundifolium, Lespedeza capitata, Apios americana, Pycnanthemum muticum, Symphyotrichum dumosum (= Aster dumosus), Smilax rotundifolia, Smilax glauca, Solidago odora, Solidago rugosa, Potentilla simplex, Pteridium aquilinum, Osmunda regalis, and Acer rubrum. Also abundant are Polytrichum commune, Sphagnum spp., and other mosses.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: No Data Available
Geographic Range: The original range was presumably confined to The Barrens of the southeastern Highland Rim of Tennessee, which comprise about 500 square miles (over 300,000 ha). Scattered examples could have formerly occurred farther north along the eastern Highland Rim of Tennessee, or even into Kentucky. It is presently presumed to be extirpated in these other areas.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: KY?, TN
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688660
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2?
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class | C02 | 2 |
| Subclass | 2.B Temperate & Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Subclass | S18 | 2.B |
| Formation | 2.B.2 Temperate Grassland & Shrubland Formation | F012 | 2.B.2 |
| Division | 2.B.2.Nc Eastern North American Grassland & Shrubland Division | D024 | 2.B.2.Nc |
| Macrogroup | 2.B.2.Nc.3 Little Bluestem - Dropseed species Central Interior Calcareous Scrub & Grassland Macrogroup | M508 | 2.B.2.Nc.3 |
| Group | 2.B.2.Nc.3.a Big Bluestem - Little Bluestem - Ashy Sunflower Patch Prairie Group | G174 | 2.B.2.Nc.3.a |
| Alliance | A3889 Big Bluestem - Switchgrass - Rough Dropseed Southeastern Patch Prairie Alliance | A3889 | 2.B.2.Nc.3.a |
| Association | CEGL007705 Big Bluestem - (Bushy Bluestem, Switchgrass, Indiangrass) Grassland | CEGL007705 | 2.B.2.Nc.3.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Andropogon gerardii - (Andropogon glomeratus, Panicum virgatum, Sorghastrum nutans) Herbaceous Vegetation (TNC 1998a)
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
- TDNH [Tennessee Division of Natural Heritage]. 2018. Unpublished data. Tennessee Division of Natural Heritage, Nashville, TN.
- TNC [The Nature Conservancy]. 1998a. An investigation and assessment of the vegetation of Arnold Air Force Base. Coffee and Franklin counties, Tennessee. The Nature Conservancy, Tennessee Field Office, Nashville. 37 pp. plus appendices.