Print Report
CEGL004686 Quercus stellata / Viburnum rufidulum / Schizachyrium scoparium - (Sorghastrum nutans, Helianthus eggertii) Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Post Oak / Rusty Blackhaw / Little Bluestem - (Indiangrass, Eggert''s Sunflower) Woodland
Colloquial Name: Western Highland Rim Post Oak Barrens
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: These woodlands are dominated by Quercus stellata; a scattered to dense subcanopy of Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana may be present. This community occurs as open patches (10x30 m or larger) on droughty mid to upper slopes in the unglaciated Interior Low Plateau, including on shaly siltstones of the Fort Payne Formation in the dissected escarpment of the Western Highland Rim of Tennessee, and related sites at Mammoth Cave National Park (Kentucky). The soils in Tennessee examples are mapped as Bodine; this is a droughty, excessively well-drained soil from which calcium ions have been removed by leaching, making it more acidic. The vegetation most frequently occurs on south- to southwest-facing slopes at an elevation of 150-260 m (500-850 feet) msl but may occur on other aspects as well. This community provides habitat for Helianthus eggertii. While fire undoubtedly played a role in its maintenance, local edaphic conditions function to maintain this distinctive vegetation. The presence of a subcanopy of Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana is probably a symptom of fire suppression. Other woody plants observed include Quercus marilandica in the canopy, Cercis canadensis in the subcanopy, and Viburnum rufidulum in the shrub stratum. Schizachyrium scoparium dominates the herbaceous stratum, with Sorghastrum nutans present in some examples. Distinctive herbaceous species present include Eryngium yuccifolium, Ionactis linariifolius, Liatris squarrosa, Polytaenia nuttallii, and Parthenium integrifolium var. integrifolium. The herb layer also contains Dodecatheon meadia, Manfreda virginica, Monarda fistulosa, Symphyotrichum shortii, Ruellia humilis, Helianthus divaricatus, and Trichostema brachiatum.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Examples are known from Beaman Park and Ridgetop Barrens, Davidson County, Tennessee. Stands have also been found in Kentucky at Mammoth Cave National Park. The same or closely related vegetation could occur in Alabama.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: These woodlands are dominated by Quercus stellata; a scattered to dense subcanopy of Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana may be present. The presence of a subcanopy of Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana is probably a symptom of fire suppression. Other woody plants observed include Quercus marilandica in the canopy, Cercis canadensis in the subcanopy, and Viburnum rufidulum in the shrub stratum. Schizachyrium scoparium dominates the herbaceous stratum, with Sorghastrum nutans present in some examples. Distinctive herbaceous species present include Eryngium yuccifolium, Ionactis linariifolius, Liatris squarrosa, Polytaenia nuttallii, and Parthenium integrifolium var. integrifolium. The herb layer also contains Dodecatheon meadia, Manfreda virginica, Monarda fistulosa, Symphyotrichum shortii (= Aster shortii), Ruellia humilis, Helianthus divaricatus, and Trichostema brachiatum (= Isanthus brachiatus).
Dynamics: The vegetation most frequently occurs on south- to southwest-facing slopes at an elevation of 150 to 260 m (500-850 feet) but may occur on other aspects as well. While fire undoubtedly played a role in its maintenance, local edaphic conditions function to maintain this distinctive vegetation. The presence of a subcanopy of Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana is probably a symptom of fire suppression. In the absence of fire, all but the most droughty sites will probably become converted to forest. These remnant woodlands are probably representative of the more typical vegetation structure of the region during periods before extensive fire suppression.
Environmental Description: This community occurs as open patches (10x30 m or larger) on mid to upper slopes of shaly siltstones of the Fort Payne Formation in the dissected escarpment of the Western Highland Rim of Tennessee. The soils are mapped as Bodine; this is a droughty, excessively well-drained soil from which calcium ions have been removed by leaching, making it more acidic. The vegetation most frequently occurs on south- to southwest-facing slopes at an elevation of 150-260 m (500-850 feet) msl but may occur on other aspects as well. While fire undoubtedly played a role in its maintenance, local edaphic conditions function to maintain this distinctive vegetation. The presence of a subcanopy of Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana is probably a symptom of fire suppression.
Geographic Range: This association is known from areas of exposed, droughty soils in the unglaciated Interior Low Plateau of the central United States. It has been documented from Kentucky and Tennessee and could also occur on related strata and landforms in Alabama.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AL?, KY, TN
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689138
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2G3
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 1 Forest & Woodland Class | C01 | 1 |
| Subclass | 1.B Temperate & Boreal Forest & Woodland Subclass | S15 | 1.B |
| Formation | 1.B.2 Cool Temperate Forest & Woodland Formation | F008 | 1.B.2 |
| Division | 1.B.2.Na Eastern North American Forest & Woodland Division | D008 | 1.B.2.Na |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.2.Na.1 White Oak - Southern Red Oak - Shortleaf Pine Forest & Woodland Macrogroup | M016 | 1.B.2.Na.1 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Na.1.c White Oak - Southern Red Oak - Northern Red Oak Forest & Woodland Group | G159 | 1.B.2.Na.1.c |
| Alliance | A3291 Post Oak - Southern Red Oak - White Oak Interior Low Plateau Woodland Alliance | A3291 | 1.B.2.Na.1.c |
| Association | CEGL004686 Post Oak / Rusty Blackhaw / Little Bluestem - (Indiangrass, Eggert''s Sunflower) Woodland | CEGL004686 | 1.B.2.Na.1.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Quercus stellata / Viburnum rufidulum / Schizachyrium scoparium - (Sorghastrum nutans, Helianthus eggertii) Woodland (Pyne 1997)
< IA6c. Dry Post Oak - Blackjack Oak Forest (Allard 1990)
< IA6c. Dry Post Oak - Blackjack Oak Forest (Allard 1990)
- Allard, D. J. 1990. Southeastern United States ecological community classification. Interim report, Version 1.2. The Nature Conservancy, Southeast Regional Office, Chapel Hill, NC. 96 pp.
- Braun, E. L. 1950. Deciduous forests of eastern North America. Hafner Press, New York. 596 pp.
- Frick, T. A. 1939. Slope vegetation near Nashville, Tennessee. Journal of the Tennessee Academy of Science 14:344-420.
- Nordman, C., M. Russo, and L. Smart. 2011. Vegetation types of the Natchez Trace Parkway, based on the U.S. National Vegetation Classification. NatureServe Central Databases (International Ecological Classification Standard: Terrestrial Ecological Classifications). Arlington, VA. Data current as of 11 April 2011. 548 pp.
- Pyne, M. 1997. Biodiversity of Beaman Park Property -- Davidson County, Tennessee: A report on the vegetation, rare plant species, and invasive exotic plant species. Unpublished report to Lose and Associates, Nashville, TN. 20 pp.
- Pyne, M., E. Lunsford Jones, and R. White. 2010. Vascular plant inventory and plant community classification for Mammoth Cave National Park. NatureServe, Durham, NC. 334 pp.
- 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.