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CEGL008564 Schizachyrium scoparium - Bothriochloa laguroides ssp. torreyana - Croton michauxii var. ellipticus Grassland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Little Bluestem - Silver Beardgrass - Willdenow''s Croton Grassland
Colloquial Name: Arkansas Cherokee Prairie, Xeric Phase
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This dry to xeric Arkansas River Valley prairie community occurs as relatively small isolated patches on shaly knobs within a larger complex of dry-mesic and mesic tallgrass prairies. The only currently known location is in the Massard Prairie complex in the northeastern portion of Fort Chaffee. The vegetation is somewhat sparse (<75% cover), and there is much exposed soil. The vegetation is predominantly herbaceous, less than 60 cm (2 feet) tall, with widely scattered Quercus stellata. There are a few Diospyros virginiana and Rhus copallinum shrubs (sprouts) present. This community becomes shrubby with fire suppression. Dominant species include Schizachyrium scoparium, Bothriochloa laguroides ssp. torreyana, and Croton michauxii var. ellipticus. Other species include Baptisia bracteata var. leucophaea, Buchnera americana, Helianthus mollis, Pityopsis graminifolia, Liatris aspera, Dichanthelium spp., Plantago aristata, Solidago missouriensis, Solidago nemoralis, and Solidago speciosa. The exotic Lespedeza cuneata is invasive. Fire and edaphic factors limit woody vegetation in stands of this community. The soils are shallow Mountainburg-Montevallo complex, which are derived from weathering of acidic sandstones and shales, respectively. These soils are acidic, sandy and sandy clay loams with low water-holding capacities; they tend to be excessively drained and droughty. This dry community occurs where the shale is close to the surface. This community is situated as small patches within ~Schizachyrium scoparium - Dichanthelium spp. - Buchnera americana - Echinacea pallida Grassland (CEGL007827)$$. The type location is in Franklin County, Arkansas.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The type location is in Franklin County, Arkansas. The only currently known location is in the Massard Prairie complex in the northeastern portion of Fort Chaffee.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The vegetation is predominantly herbaceous, less than 60 cm (2 feet) tall, with widely scattered Quercus stellata. There are a few Diospyros virginiana and Rhus copallinum shrubs (sprouts) present. This community becomes shrubby with fire suppression. Dominant species include Schizachyrium scoparium, Bothriochloa laguroides ssp. torreyana (= Andropogon saccharoides var. torreyanus), and Croton michauxii var. ellipticus (= Crotonopsis elliptica). Other species include Baptisia bracteata var. leucophaea (= Baptisia bracteata var. glabrescens), Buchnera americana, Helianthus mollis, Pityopsis graminifolia (= Heterotheca graminifolia), Liatris aspera, Dichanthelium spp., Plantago aristata, Solidago missouriensis, Solidago nemoralis, and Solidago speciosa. The exotic Lespedeza cuneata is invasive in this community.
Dynamics: Fire and edaphic factors limit the spread of woody vegetation. The exotic Lespedeza cuneata is invasive in stands of this community.
Environmental Description: This dry to xeric Arkansas River Valley prairie community occurs as relatively small isolated patches on shaly knobs within a larger complex of dry-mesic and mesic tallgrass prairies. The vegetation is somewhat sparse (<75% cover), and there is much exposed soil. The soils are shallow Mountainburg-Montevallo complex, which are derived from weathering of acidic sandstones and shales, respectively. These soils are acidic, sandy and sandy clay loams with low water-holding capacities; they tend to be excessively drained and droughty. This dry community occurs where the shale is close to the surface.
Geographic Range: This association is restricted to the Arkansas River Valley of the Ouachita Mountains Ecoregion of the United States.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AR, OK?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689241
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G1?
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.Nb Central North American Grassland & Shrubland Division | D023 | 2.B.2.Nb |
| Macrogroup | 2.B.2.Nb.1 Big Bluestem - Indiangrass - Dense Blazingstar Tallgrass Prairie Macrogroup | M054 | 2.B.2.Nb.1 |
| Group | 2.B.2.Nb.1.b Big Bluestem - Indiangrass - Little Bluestem Tallgrass Prairie Group | G334 | 2.B.2.Nb.1.b |
| Alliance | A4046 Little Bluestem - Pale Purple Coneflower Southern Grassland Alliance | A4046 | 2.B.2.Nb.1.b |
| Association | CEGL008564 Little Bluestem - Silver Beardgrass - Willdenow''s Croton Grassland | CEGL008564 | 2.B.2.Nb.1.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
- Zollner, Douglas. Personal communication. Ecologist, The Nature Conservancy, Arkansas Field Office, Little Rock.