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CEGL004992 Selaginella rupestris - Croton michauxii var. ellipticus - Cheilanthes tomentosa - (Allium cuthbertii) Granitic Glade Vegetation
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Rock Spikemoss - Willdenow''s Croton - Woolly Lipfern - (Striped Garlic) Granitic Glade Vegetation
Colloquial Name: Low-Elevation Basic Glade (Brushy Mountain Type)
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This community includes vegetation of North Carolina''s upper Piedmont, on gently to moderately sloping, low-elevation outcrops, with irregular or undulating surfaces but few crevices, and containing plants characteristic of higher pH conditions. This community occurs as small patches (approx. 5-20 acres) in the Brushy Mountains of North Carolina at elevations below 1220 m (4000 feet). Vegetation consists of shallow mats dominated by Selaginella rupestris and deeper grassy mats, interspersed with areas of smooth rock or rock with few crevices or fractures. This community has few deep-rooted forbs, shrubs, or trees. The flora is diverse and characterized by the presence of plants indicative of higher pH soils. Woody species may be scattered, rooted in crevices or in marginal zones between exposed rock and adjacent forests. This association is distinguished by a suite of distinctive plant species, including Croton michauxii var. ellipticus, Allium cuthbertii, Cheilanthes tomentosa, Coreopsis pubescens, Hypericum denticulatum (actually an unnamed taxon), Senna marilandica, and Diodia teres. This community often grades into woodlands dominated by Juniperus virginiana and deciduous trees (Quercus montana, Carya spp., Fraxinus spp.) [see ~Carya (glabra, tomentosa) - Fraxinus americana - (Juniperus virginiana) Woodland (CEGL003752)$$].
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: No Data Available
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Vegetation consists of shallow mats dominated by Selaginella rupestris and deeper grassy mats, interspersed with areas of smooth rock or rock with few crevices or fractures. This community has few deep-rooted forbs, shrubs, or trees. The flora is diverse and characterized by the presence of plants indicative of higher pH soils. Woody species may be scattered, rooted in crevices or in marginal zones between exposed rock and adjacent forests. This association is distinguished by a suite of distinctive plant species, including Croton michauxii var. ellipticus (= Crotonopsis elliptica), Allium cuthbertii, Cheilanthes tomentosa, Coreopsis pubescens, Hypericum denticulatum (actually an unnamed taxon), Senna marilandica (= Cassia marilandica), and Diodia teres (M. Schafale pers. comm.). This community often grades into woodlands dominated by Juniperus virginiana and deciduous trees (Quercus montana (= Quercus prinus), Carya spp., Fraxinus spp.).
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This small-scale community occurs on gently to moderately sloping, low-elevation outcrops, with irregular or undulating surfaces but few crevices. This community occurs as small patches (approx. 5-50 acres) at elevations below 1220 m (4000 feet).
Geographic Range: This community type is limited to exposures of granitic rocks in the upper Piedmont of North Carolina. Its possible occurrence in South Carolina and Virginia is not known at this time.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: NC
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689667
Confidence Level: Moderate
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.Nc Eastern North American Grassland & Shrubland Division | D024 | 2.B.2.Nc |
| Macrogroup | 2.B.2.Nc.1 Catawba Rosebay / Michaux''s Saxifrage - Flattened Oatgrass Felsic & Mafic Scrub & Grassland Macrogroup | M506 | 2.B.2.Nc.1 |
| Group | 2.B.2.Nc.1.c Little Bluestem - Balsam Groundsel - Prairie Groundsel Appalachian Mafic Glade Group | G180 | 2.B.2.Nc.1.c |
| Alliance | A3469 Rock Spikemoss Appalachian Basic Clubmoss Alliance | A3469 | 2.B.2.Nc.1.c |
| Association | CEGL004992 Rock Spikemoss - Willdenow''s Croton - Woolly Lipfern - (Striped Garlic) Granitic Glade Vegetation | CEGL004992 | 2.B.2.Nc.1.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- Dellinger, B. 1992. Natural areas survey, Nantahala National Forest, Highlands Ranger District: Site survey reports. Unpublished data. North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh.
- Schafale, M. P. 2012. Classification of the natural communities of North Carolina, 4th Approximation. North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh.
- Schafale, M. P., and A. S. Weakley. 1990. Classification of the natural communities of North Carolina. Third approximation. North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh. 325 pp.
- Schafale, Mike P. Personal communication. Ecologist, North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.