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CEGL002034 Pascopyrum smithii - Hesperostipa comata Central Mixedgrass Grassland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Western Wheatgrass - Needle-and-Thread Central Mixedgrass Grassland

Colloquial Name: Central Wheatgrass - Needle-and-Thread Mixedgrass Prairie

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This mixedgrass prairie community type is found throughout the north-central Great Plains of the United States, and possibly Canada. Stands occur on many different topographic and soil types. They can be on upland slopes, ridgetops, plateaus, stream terraces, and rolling sandhills. The soils are fine- to medium-textured (clay to sandy loam) and moderately deep to deep. They are derived from a variety of parent material across this community''s range. These materials include eolian sand, sandstone, shale, siltstone, loess, or alluvium. The dominant vegetation in this community is mid grasses. The vegetation may be moderately open to dense. The most abundant species are Pascopyrum smithii and Hesperostipa comata. Other graminoids that may be present to abundant are Aristida purpurea, Aristida basiramea, Bouteloua gracilis, Calamovilfa longifolia (on sandy soils), Carex duriuscula, Carex filifolia, Koeleria macrantha, Schizachyrium scoparium, and Hesperostipa spartea. Common forbs include Amorpha canescens, Artemisia campestris, Helianthus petiolaris, and Tragopogon dubius. Shrubs are rare in this community. Scattered Artemisia frigida, Rosa arkansana, and occasional Symphoricarpos occidentalis may be present.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This type is somewhat conceptually vague. It potentially includes stands that have more moderately coarse-textured and somewhat drier soils than other Pascopyrum smithii types, but not dry enough to shift the dominance toward Hesperostipa comata types. A major review of published material is needed in central North and South Dakota to clarify this type. In particular it would be worth examining whether or not more western Great Plains species are absent from the central mixed grass region, and where this type is most common.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: The dominant vegetation in this community is mid grasses. The vegetation may be moderately open to dense. The most abundant species are Pascopyrum smithii and Hesperostipa comata (= Stipa comata). Other graminoids that may be present to abundant are Aristida purpurea, Aristida basiramea, Bouteloua gracilis, Koeleria macrantha, Calamovilfa longifolia (on sandy soils), Hesperostipa spartea (= Stipa spartea), Schizachyrium scoparium, Carex filifolia, and Carex duriuscula (= Carex eleocharis). Common forbs include Tragopogon dubius, Helianthus petiolaris, Amorpha canescens, and Artemisia campestris. Shrubs are rare in this community. Scattered Rosa arkansana, Artemisia frigida, and occasionally Symphoricarpos occidentalis may be present.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  This community occurs on many different topographic and soil types. It can be on upland slopes, ridgetops, plateaus, stream terraces, and rolling sandhills (Steinauer 1989, USFS 1992). The soils are fine- to medium-textured (clay to sandy loam) and moderately deep to deep. They are derived from a variety of materials across this community''s range. These include eolian sand, sandstone, shale, siltstone, loess, or alluvium.
Geographic Range: This mixedgrass prairie community type is found throughout the north-central Great Plains of the United States and possibly Canada, ranging from Manitoba and possibly Saskatchewan, south to northern Nebraska.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  MB, MT, ND, NE, SD, SK


Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4

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.2 Needle-and-Thread - Western Wheatgrass - Plains Rough Fescue Grassland Macrogroup M051 2.B.2.Nb.2
Group 2.B.2.Nb.2.c Western Wheatgrass - Needle-and-Thread - Little Bluestem Mixedgrass Prairie Group G141 2.B.2.Nb.2.c
Alliance A4031 Western Wheatgrass - Green Needlegrass Northwestern Great Plains Grassland Alliance A4031 2.B.2.Nb.2.c
Association CEGL002034 Western Wheatgrass - Needle-and-Thread Central Mixedgrass Grassland CEGL002034 2.B.2.Nb.2.c
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Pascopyrum smithii - Hesperostipa comata Central Mixedgrass Herbaceous Vegetation (Faber-Langendoen 2001)
= Pascopyrum smithii - Stipa comata Habitat Type (USFS 1992)
= Northern Sand/Gravel Prairie (Steinauer and Rolfsmeier 2003)
Concept Author(s): D. Faber-Langendoen (2001)

Author of Description: J. Drake

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 12-21-95
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  • NDNHI [North Dakota Natural Heritage Inventory]. 2018. Unpublished data. Vegetation classification of North Dakota. North Dakota Natural Heritage Inventory, North Dakota Parks & Recreation Department, Bismarck.
  • Rolfsmeier, S. B., and G. Steinauer. 2010. Terrestrial ecological systems and natural communities of Nebraska (Version IV - March 9, 2010). Nebraska Natural Heritage Program, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Lincoln, NE. 228 pp.
  • SDNHP [South Dakota Natural Heritage Program]. 2018. Unpublished data. South Dakota Natural Heritage Program, Pierre, SD.
  • Steinauer, G. 1989. Characterization of the natural communities of Nebraska. Appendix D, pages 103-114 in: M. Clausen, M. Fritz, and G. Steinauer. The Nebraska Natural Heritage Program, two year progress report. Unpublished document. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Natural Heritage Program, Lincoln, NE.
  • Steinauer, G., and S. Rolfsmeier. 2003. Terrestrial natural communities of Nebraska. (Version III - June 30, 2003). Nebraska Natural Heritage Program, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Lincoln. 163 pp.
  • USFS [U.S. Forest Service]. 1992. Draft habitat types of the Little Missouri National Grasslands. Medora and McKenzie ranger districts, Custer National Forest. Dickinson, ND.