Print Report
CEGL004395 (Hydrangea arborescens, Toxicodendron radicans) / Heuchera americana - (Dichanthelium depauperatum, Woodsia obtusa) Cliff Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: (Wild Hydrangea, Eastern Poison-ivy) / American Alumroot - (Starved Witchgrass, Common Cliff Fern) Cliff Shrubland
Colloquial Name: Appalachian Mafic Cliff (Low-Elevation Type)
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association is variable in composition and vegetative cover but includes a range of dry, basic cliffs of variable geology in the interior low-elevation southeastern United States. The association, as broadly defined, is widespread in the Southern Blue Ridge, Cumberlands and Southern Ridge and Valley, and possibly the Interior Low Plateau. It is peripheral in the western Piedmont (e.g., the South Mountains?). Stands are characterized by the presence of scattered to moderately dense vines and forbs. Characteristic vines, shrubs, and scattered shrubs may include Hydrangea arborescens, Toxicodendron radicans ssp. radicans, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Philadelphus hirsutus, Philadelphus inodorus, and Cercis canadensis. Characteristic herbaceous species (very variable from occurrence to occurrence) include Heuchera americana, Dichanthelium depauperatum, Woodsia obtusa, Viola triloba, Oxalis violacea, Carex sp., Dichanthelium depauperatum, Parietaria pensylvanica, Danthonia spicata, and Dichanthelium dichotomum. The exotic Microstegium vimineum may be present.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Originally created from NPS small parks project data from Russell Cave plot 10. Reworked based on NC element occurrence data. Similar vegetation in Virginia''s Northern Piedmont is treated as ~Hydrangea arborescens / Sedum ternatum - Polypodium virginianum Cliff Shrubland (CEGL006479)$$.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Stands are characterized by the presence of scattered to moderately dense vines and forbs. Characteristic vines, shrubs, and scattered shrubs may include Hydrangea arborescens, Toxicodendron radicans ssp. radicans, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Philadelphus hirsutus, Philadelphus inodorus, and Cercis canadensis. Characteristic herbaceous species (very variable from occurrence to occurrence) include Heuchera americana, Dichanthelium depauperatum, Woodsia obtusa, Viola triloba (= Viola x palmata var. triloba), Oxalis violacea, Carex sp., Dichanthelium depauperatum, Parietaria pensylvanica, Danthonia spicata, and Dichanthelium dichotomum. The exotic Microstegium vimineum may be present.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This association is variable in composition and vegetative cover but includes a range of dry, basic cliffs of variable geology in the interior low-elevation southeastern United States.
Geographic Range: The association, as broadly defined, is widespread in the Southern Blue Ridge, Cumberlands and Southern Ridge and Valley, and possibly the Interior Low Plateau and Central Appalachians. It is peripheral in the western Piedmont.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AL, GA?, NC, TN?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689684
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3?
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 6 Open Rock Vegetation Class | C06 | 6 |
| Subclass | 6.B Temperate & Boreal Open Rock Vegetation Subclass | S04 | 6.B |
| Formation | 6.B.1 Temperate & Boreal Cliff, Scree & Other Rock Vegetation Formation | F034 | 6.B.1 |
| Division | 6.B.1.Na Eastern North American Temperate Cliff, Scree & Rock Vegetation Division | D051 | 6.B.1.Na |
| Macrogroup | 6.B.1.Na.1 Shrubby Fivefingers - Rock Polypody / Cup Lichen species Eastern North American Cliff & Rock Vegetation Macrogroup | M111 | 6.B.1.Na.1 |
| Group | 6.B.1.Na.1.c Appalachian Cliff & Rock Vegetation Group | G840 | 6.B.1.Na.1.c |
| Alliance | A2072 Wild Hydrangea / Hairy Alumroot Appalachian Circumneutral Cliff Alliance | A2072 | 6.B.1.Na.1.c |
| Association | CEGL004395 (Wild Hydrangea, Eastern Poison-ivy) / American Alumroot - (Starved Witchgrass, Common Cliff Fern) Cliff Shrubland | CEGL004395 | 6.B.1.Na.1.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? IE3a. Southern Appalachian Mafic Cliff (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.
- 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.
- Schotz, A., M. Hall, and R. D. White, Jr. 2006. Vascular plant inventory and ecological community classification for Russell Cave National Monument. NatureServe, Durham, NC. 108 pp.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
- Weakley, A. S., K. D. Patterson, S. Landaal, M. Pyne, and others, compilers. 1998. International classification of ecological communities: Terrestrial vegetation of the Southeastern United States. Working draft of March 1998. The Nature Conservancy, Southeast Regional Office, Southern Conservation Science Department, Community Ecology Group. Chapel Hill, NC. 689 pp.