Print Report
CEGL004176 Quercus stellata - (Quercus marilandica, Ulmus crassifolia) / Schizachyrium scoparium Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Post Oak - (Blackjack Oak, Cedar Elm) / Little Bluestem Woodland
Colloquial Name: Lampasas Cutplain Redlands Post Oak Woodland
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association is found on limestone uplands characterized by shallow, rocky "Redlands" soils in the Lampasas Cutplain and other areas of the Edwards Plateau in Texas. The canopy is dominated by Quercus stellata. Ulmus crassifolia may codominate and occasionally be the canopy dominant. Other canopy species include Quercus marilandica, Quercus fusiformis, and Fraxinus albicans. Without fire, Juniperus ashei will increase in importance and stature, eventually occupying part of the canopy with the oaks and presenting greater canopy closure. In intermediate stages, an oak canopy will overtop a subcanopy of Juniperus ashei. Shrubs include Forestiera pubescens, Toxicodendron radicans, Rhus lanceolata, Ilex decidua, Lonicera albiflora, Sideroxylon lanuginosum, Cercis canadensis, and Viburnum rufidulum. Woody cover can vary greatly, with some examples being very open with few shrubs and other examples with cover approaching that of a forest. Drier, rockier, or more frequently burned examples will tend to exhibit an oak woodland physiognomy. Herbaceous openings may contain Schizachyrium scoparium, Aristida purpurea, Sorghastrum nutans, Bouteloua curtipendula, Bouteloua rigidiseta, Nassella leucotricha, Schedonnardus paniculatus, Carex muehlenbergii, and Carex planostachys. Forb cover is usually low but may include Vernonia baldwinii, Croton monanthogynus, Tragia ramosa, Symphyotrichum drummondii, Ruellia humilis, and Vernonia lindheimeri. In degraded examples, the ground layer may have a high cover of the invasive grasses Bothriochloa ischaemum and Bromus arvensis.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association includes vegetation dominated by Quercus stellata and variable amounts of Juniperus ashei. The presence of juniper is thought to be linked to grazing pressures and an altered fire regime and therefore under direct manipulation by land management practices. ~Quercus fusiformis / Schizachyrium scoparium Woodland (CEGL002115)$$ is distinguished by the dominance of Quercus fusiformis but may occur on the same soil type (as mapped). This association was developed from plot data from Fort Hood, TX. It forms a heterogeneous set of plots in cluster analysis with Quercus stellata as an indicator. Cover ranges from open to closed, and composition varies from Quercus stellata-dominated to Quercus fusiformis-codominated, and the dominance of Juniperus ashei is highly variable. This variability is in part a response to a high degree of disturbance and clearing. The soils are redlands (Evant and Lindy Soils Associations), and there is no mapped soil difference between the various groups. The differences appear to be a result of the varying degrees of disturbance. This community can also have a high abundance of Ulmus crassifolia, and in some cases, Ulmus crassifolia will have more cover than Quercus stellata and may be monodominant in an open canopy over grasslands. This vegetation may warrant a separate association.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The canopy is dominated by Quercus stellata. Ulmus crassifolia may codominate and occasionally be the canopy dominant. Other canopy species include Quercus marilandica, Quercus fusiformis, and Fraxinus albicans (= Fraxinus texensis). Without fire, Juniperus will increase in importance and stature, eventually occupying part of the canopy with the oaks and presenting greater canopy closure. In intermediate stages, an oak canopy will overtop a subcanopy of Juniperus. Shrubs include Forestiera pubescens, Toxicodendron radicans, Rhus lanceolata, Ilex decidua, Lonicera albiflora, Sideroxylon lanuginosum, Cercis canadensis, and Viburnum rufidulum. Woody cover can vary greatly, with some examples being very open with few shrubs and other examples with cover approaching that of a forest. Drier, rockier, or more frequently burned examples will tend to exhibit an oak woodland physiognomy. Herbaceous openings may contain Schizachyrium scoparium, Aristida purpurea, Sorghastrum nutans, Bouteloua curtipendula, Bouteloua rigidiseta, Nassella leucotricha, Schedonnardus paniculatus, Carex muehlenbergii, and Carex planostachys. Forb cover is usually low but may include Vernonia baldwinii, Croton monanthogynus, Tragia ramosa, Symphyotrichum drummondii (= Aster drummondii), Ruellia humilis, and Vernonia lindheimeri. In degraded examples, the ground layer may have a high cover of the invasive grasses Bothriochloa ischaemum and Bromus arvensis (= Bromus japonicus).
Dynamics: Historically, this association is thought to have been influenced by fire. Frequent, low-intensity fires will maintain an open physiognomy with low cover of Juniperus ashei. Once juniper has reached the canopy, mechanical clearing is necessary to restore this association. High-intensity grazing can convert the grass-dominated understory to one dominated by annual forbs.
Environmental Description: This association is found on limestone uplands characterized by shallow, rocky "Redlands" soils in the Lampasas Cutplain and other areas of the Edwards Plateau in Texas. These areas are described as shallow, non-calcareous clays, clay loams and loams with chert, limestone fragments, cobbles and stones occurring at the surface. Typical soils include the Evant and Lindy series.
Geographic Range: This association occurs in the Lampasas Cutplain and Edwards Plateau regions of Texas.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: TX
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.801783
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
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.2 Cool Temperate Forest & Woodland Formation | F008 | 1.B.2 |
| Division | 1.B.2.Na Eastern North American Forest & Woodland Division | D008 | 1.B.2.Na |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.2.Na.1 White Oak - Southern Red Oak - Shortleaf Pine Forest & Woodland Macrogroup | M016 | 1.B.2.Na.1 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Na.1.f Post Oak - Blackjack Oak Forest & Woodland Group | G017 | 1.B.2.Na.1.f |
| Alliance | A3217 Post Oak - Cedar Elm Forest & Woodland Alliance | A3217 | 1.B.2.Na.1.f |
| Association | CEGL004176 Post Oak - (Blackjack Oak, Cedar Elm) / Little Bluestem Woodland | CEGL004176 | 1.B.2.Na.1.f |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- Diamond, D. D. 1993. Classification of the plant communities of Texas (series level). Unpublished document. Texas Natural Heritage Program, Austin. 25 pp.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.