Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: This grassland community is dominated by Schizachyrium maritimum but may also have less amounts of Panicum amarum var. amarulum (= Panicum amarulum) and/or Uniola paniculata. There is some variation in the expression of this association from west to east. Examples from the western Panhandle of Florida and southern Alabama more regularly contain Paronychia erecta, Chrysopsis godfreyi, Balduina angustifolia, Galactia microphylla, Chrysopsis gossypina ssp. cruiseana, and Chrysoma pauciflosculosa. Examples from the eastern Panhandle of Florida are usually codominated by Schizachyrium maritimum and Heterotheca subaxillaris, and lack Paronychia erecta, Chrysopsis godfreyi, Balduina angustifolia, Galactia microphylla, Chrysopsis gossypina ssp. cruiseana, and Chrysoma pauciflosculosa. Heterotheca subaxillaris is a weedy species which cannot tolerate sand burial, and thus may be a temporary member of this community; it vanished from many areas of Florida after Hurricane Opal (A. Johnson pers. comm.)

Dynamics:  This association occurs on dunes which have been protected from active sand burial for approximately 2-6 years (Johnson 1997); more active sand burial favors Uniola and Panicum amarum [see ~Uniola paniculata - Panicum amarum var. amarulum - Iva imbricata Grassland (CEGL004041)$$] With longer periods of protection this vegetation will succeed to ~Chrysoma pauciflosculosa - Paronychia erecta Dwarf-shrubland (CEGL003947)$$.