Print Report
CEGL004739 Andropogon gerardii - Chasmanthium latifolium - Amsonia tabernaemontana var. salicifolia Riverscour Wet Meadow
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Big Bluestem - Indian Woodoats - Willowleaf Bluestar Riverscour Wet Meadow
Colloquial Name: Duck River Scour Prairie
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association occurs along the Duck River in Tennessee''s Central Basin, as well as the Green River and Kentucky River in the Interior Low Plateau of Kentucky. The Duck River is undammed and free-flowing for much of its length. Where sections of the river flow west and meet high east-facing banks of Ordovician limestone, the force of seasonally high water levels scours the banks, reducing the likelihood of woody vegetation becoming dominant at these sites. The vegetation is characterized by robust grasses such as Andropogon gerardii, Sorghastrum nutans, and Chasmanthium latifolium. Amsonia tabernaemontana (var. gattingeri, var. salicifolia?) is present as well. This community has been referred to as "scoured riverine bluff prairie." This or closely related vegetation is found in Kentucky along the Kentucky River and Green River. On limestone bedrock shelves along their banks, the vegetation includes the grasses Andropogon gerardii, Chasmanthium latifolium, Elymus virginicus var. virginicus, Elymus riparius?, and Panicum virgatum (which is rare in most Kentucky uplands). Shrubs and woody vines include Cornus obliqua, Hypericum prolificum, and Toxicodendron radicans. Additional herbs are infrequent but include Solidago rupestris.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Apparently related vegetation in limestone areas of Kentucky is included here.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The vegetation is characterized by robust grasses such as Andropogon gerardii, Sorghastrum nutans, and Chasmanthium latifolium. Amsonia tabernaemontana (var. gattingeri, var. salicifolia?) is present as well. This community has been referred to as "scoured riverine bluff prairie." This, or closely related vegetation, is found in Kentucky along the Kentucky River and Green River. On limestone bedrock shelves along their banks, the vegetation includes the grasses Andropogon gerardii, Chasmanthium latifolium, Elymus virginicus var. virginicus (= Elymus virginicus var. intermedius), Elymus riparius?, and Panicum virgatum (which is rare in most Kentucky uplands). Shrubs and woody vines include Cornus obliqua, Hypericum prolificum, and Toxicodendron radicans. Additional herbs are infrequent but include Solidago rupestris. Some more unusual or rare species include Physostegia virginiana ssp. virginiana, Baptisia australis (Kentucky River), Deschampsia cespitosa (Kentucky River), Aureolaria patula (Green River), and Carex emoryi (in low wet areas closer to the Justicia zone).
Dynamics: At stands of this association, seasonally high water levels scour the riverbanks, reducing the likelihood of woody vegetation becoming dominant at these sites.
Environmental Description: This association occurs along the Duck River in Tennessee''s Central Basin, as well as the Green River and Kentucky River in the Interior Low Plateau of Kentucky. The Duck River is undammed and free-flowing for much of its length. Where sections of the river flow west and meet high east-facing banks of Ordovician limestone, the force of seasonally high water levels scours the banks, reducing the likelihood of woody vegetation becoming dominant at these sites.
Geographic Range: In Tennessee its range could extend upstream into Bedford County and downstream into Hickman County, for a possible total range of about of 80 by 50 miles (4000 square miles). The range in Kentucky is probably generally equivalent in area.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: KY, TN
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689853
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2G3
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class | C02 | 2 |
| Subclass | 2.C Shrub & Herb Wetland Subclass | S44 | 2.C |
| Formation | 2.C.4 Temperate to Polar Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Formation | F013 | 2.C.4 |
| Division | 2.C.4.Nd Eastern North American Temperate Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Division | D323 | 2.C.4.Nd |
| Macrogroup | 2.C.4.Nd.4 Eastern North American Riverscour Vegetation Macrogroup | M881 | 2.C.4.Nd.4 |
| Group | 2.C.4.Nd.4.a Central Interior-Appalachian Riverscour Barrens & Prairie Group | G753 | 2.C.4.Nd.4.a |
| Alliance | A2070 Big Bluestem - Switchgrass Interior Gravel Riverscour Prairie Alliance | A2070 | 2.C.4.Nd.4.a |
| Association | CEGL004739 Big Bluestem - Indian Woodoats - Willowleaf Bluestar Riverscour Wet Meadow | CEGL004739 | 2.C.4.Nd.4.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Scoured Riverine Bluff Prairie (Pyne and Withers 1996)
- Campbell, Julian J. N. Personal communication. Kentucky Field Office, The Nature Conservancy.
- Pyne, M., and D. I. Withers. 1996. Terrestrial and subterranean natural heritage survey of TVA Columbia Project lands. DNH Report No. 96-001. Tennessee Department of Conservation, Division of Natural Heritage. Nashville.
- 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.