Print Report
CEGL004086 Pinus palustris / Schizachyrium scoparium - Muhlenbergia expansa - Arnoglossum ovatum Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Longleaf Pine / Little Bluestem - Cutover Muhly - Savanna Indian-plantain Woodland
Colloquial Name: Atlantic Coastal Plain Wet Ultisol Longleaf Pine / Little Bluestem Savanna
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This seasonally saturated longleaf pine - pond pine - loblolly pine woodland association is restricted to wet and moist Ultisols of the wiregrass gap region of South Carolina. The open canopy of this association is dominated by a combination of Pinus palustris, Pinus serotina, and Pinus taeda. The ground layer is dominated by Schizachyrium scoparium, Muhlenbergia expansa, Ctenium aromaticum, Setaria parviflora, and Eryngium yuccifolium. Several species thought to be indicative of shallow lime bedrock (i.e., coquina limestone) occur commonly in this association, including Setaria parviflora, Panicum virgatum, Arnoglossum ovatum, Plantago sparsiflora, and Apocynum cannabinum. However, the stand in Francis Marion National Forest, South Carolina, on which the present description is primarily based, occurs on a Wahee loam, an Ultisol not evidently associated with shallow limestone. The stand is directly adjacent to a hardwood-dominated drainage, however, so there may be some extruding limestone.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: As indicated in the discussion of similar associations, there is much compositional overlap among the various recognized and proposed wet Ultisol savanna and flatwoods communities of the wiregrass gap region. Though subtle environmental differences may be apparent, it is hypothetically plausible that much of the variation, particularly in composition of dominant grasses, may be random and independent of the environment (Glitzenstein and Streng 2004).
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The open canopy of this association is dominated by a combination of Pinus palustris, Pinus serotina, and Pinus taeda. Dominant ground-layer grasses include Schizachyrium scoparium, Muhlenbergia expansa, Ctenium aromaticum, Andropogon capillipes (wet variant), Andropogon glomeratus, Panicum virgatum, and Setaria parviflora. Other commonly occurring grasses and sedges may include Andropogon gerardii, Rhynchospora elliottii, Rhynchospora rariflora, Scleria muehlenbergii, Panicum verrucosum, Panicum anceps, Paspalum praecox, Fimbristylis puberula, Dichanthelium dichotomum, Dichanthelium dichotomum var. tenue (= Dichanthelium tenue), Dichanthelium strigosum var. leucoblepharis, Tridens ambiguus, and Rhynchospora debilis. In addition, Ilex glabra, Quercus pumila, and Morella cerifera (= Myrica cerifera) may be important in the shrub layer depending on fire history. Eryngium yuccifolium and Arnoglossum ovatum are dominant forbs. Other common to abundant forbs include Eupatorium leucolepis, Eupatorium mohrii, Chaptalia tomentosa, Coreopsis linifolia, Solidago stricta, Liatris spicata, Hyptis alata, Symphyotrichum walteri (= Aster walteri), Pityopsis graminifolia, Helianthus angustifolius, Pluchea rosea, Symphyotrichum dumosum (= Aster dumosus), Centella erecta, Marshallia graminifolia, Erigeron vernus, Bigelowia nudata, Rhexia alifanus, Agalinis purpurea, the globally endangered Plantago sparsiflora, and many others (Glitzenstein and Streng 2004).
Dynamics: The maintenance of this vegetation type depends on frequent low-intensity fires that limit competition from hardwood trees and shrubs and help to maintain the high diversity of herbaceous vegetation (Glitzenstein et al. 2003).
Environmental Description: This association occurs on level, poorly drained soils with loam surface soil and a clayey subsoil (e.g., Wahee Loam). Limestone bedrock may underlie the soil profile at a relatively shallow depth. More soil data are needed; this should have higher calcium.
Geographic Range: This type is known from the Atlantic Coastal Plain of South Carolina, particularly the wiregrass gap region.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: SC
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.732797
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G1?
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 1 Forest & Woodland Class | C01 | 1 |
| Subclass | 1.B Temperate & Boreal Forest & Woodland Subclass | S15 | 1.B |
| Formation | 1.B.1 Warm Temperate Forest & Woodland Formation | F018 | 1.B.1 |
| Division | 1.B.1.Na Southeastern North American Forest & Woodland Division | D006 | 1.B.1.Na |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.1.Na.1 Longleaf Pine / Pineland Three-awn Woodland Macrogroup | M007 | 1.B.1.Na.1 |
| Group | 1.B.1.Na.1.f Longleaf Pine - Slash Pine - Pond Pine Open Woodland Group | G190 | 1.B.1.Na.1.f |
| Alliance | A3305 Longleaf Pine - Pond Pine Atlantic Coastal Plain Wet Open Woodland Alliance | A3305 | 1.B.1.Na.1.f |
| Association | CEGL004086 Longleaf Pine / Little Bluestem - Cutover Muhly - Savanna Indian-plantain Woodland | CEGL004086 | 1.B.1.Na.1.f |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Pinus palustris-Pinus taeda / Schizachyrium scoparium-Muhlenbergia expansa-Setaria parviflora / Arnoglossum ovatum Woodland (Glitzenstein and Streng 2004)
< Pine Savanna, Wet Ultisol Variant (Schafale 1994)
< Pine Savanna, Wet Ultisol Variant (Schafale 1994)
- Glitzenstein, J. S., D. R. Streng, and D. D. Wade. 2003. Fire frequency effects on longleaf pine (Pinus palustris P. Miller) vegetation in South Carolina and northeast Florida. Natural Areas Journal 23:22-37. [http://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/5266]
- Glitzenstein, J. S., and D. R. Streng. 2004. Evaluating the NatureServe preliminary plant community classification for Francis Marion National Forest. Tall Timbers Research Station, Tallahassee, FL. Plus appendices and data.
- NatureServe Ecology - Southeastern United States. No date. Unpublished data. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
- Nelson, J. B. 1986. The natural communities of South Carolina: Initial classification and description. South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department, Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, Columbia, SC. 55 pp.
- Schafale, M. P. 1994. Inventory of longleaf pine natural communities. North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh. 230 pp.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
- Weakley, A. S. 1997. Flora of the Carolinas and Virginia. Unpublished May draft. The Nature Conservancy, Southeast Regional Office, Chapel Hill, NC.