Print Report
CEGL004243 Philadelphus hirsutus - Ptelea trifoliata var. mollis / Schizachyrium scoparium - Pycnanthemum curvipes / Thuidium delicatulum Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Streambank Mock Orange - Common Hoptree / Little Bluestem - Stone Mountainmint / Delicate Fern Moss Shrubland
Colloquial Name: Southern Piedmont Mafic Shrub Barrens
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association represents edaphically controlled shrublands that occur on slopes of mafic amphibolite rock on dry, west- to southwest-facing areas at upper elevations (generally from 450-500 m [1470-1650 feet]) of Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia. It exhibits generally dense shrub thickets interspersed with grass/herb patches and some areas of bare rock and moss cover. Vascular plants root in crevices between rocks and boulders. The most abundant shrubs are Philadelphus hirsutus, Ptelea trifoliata var. mollis, Chionanthus virginicus, Crataegus pruinosa, and Crataegus uniflora. Other vascular species present include Yucca filamentosa, Schizachyrium scoparium, Andropogon gerardii, Danthonia spicata, Bulbostylis capillaris, Juncus secundus, Dichanthelium sphaerocarpon, Pycnanthemum curvipes, Apocynum cannabinum, Arabis laevigata, Monarda fistulosa, Tradescantia subaspera, Eupatorium sessilifolium, Solidago petiolaris, Asplenium platyneuron, Phemeranthus teretifolius, Hypericum gentianoides, Euphorbia corollata, and Silene virginica. In addition, Thuidium delicatulum is a common and conspicuous nonvascular plant. Trees are very limited, at coverages of less than 10%, and may include Carya glabra, Celtis occidentalis, Ulmus alata, and Quercus marilandica.
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: This community has dense cover of shrubs and patchy cover of herbaceous vascular plants and also has substantial cover of nonvascular plants. Vascular plants root in the crevices and gaps between rock and boulders. The most abundant shrubs are Philadelphus hirsutus, Ptelea trifoliata var. mollis, Chionanthus virginicus, and Crataegus spp. Some examples may contain or be codominated by Vaccinium arboreum. Other vascular species present include Yucca filamentosa, Schizachyrium scoparium, Andropogon gerardii, Danthonia spicata, Pycnanthemum curvipes, Apocynum cannabinum, Arabis laevigata, Monarda fistulosa, Tradescantia subaspera, Eupatorium sessilifolium, Asplenium platyneuron, Euphorbia corollata, and Silene virginica. In addition, Thuidium delicatulum is a common and conspicuous nonvascular plant. Trees are very limited, at coverages of less than 10%, and may include Carya glabra, Carya texana, Celtis occidentalis, Ulmus alata, and Quercus marilandica.
Dynamics: This community is generally stable. The fire regime is unknown, but periodic fires would reduce the generally dense shrub cover and promote the growth of grasses and forbs. There is periodic movement of rock downhill. At some sites, boulders were manipulated in 1863-64 to form Confederate defensive fortifications prior to the battle of Kennesaw Mountain, but this was a local event that did not substantially alter the environment in the long term. Not all examples have these fortifications in them.
Environmental Description: This community is known from west- to southwest-facing, dry rocky openings over mafic metamorphic (amphibolite) rocks of intermediate composition, generally from 450-500 m (1470-1650 feet) elevation, in the upper Piedmont physiographic province. The amphibolite is composed of bedded rocks, probably metamorphosed limestones.
Geographic Range: This type is known from a small area of the upper Piedmont in Georgia. Its additional potential occurrence is unknown.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: GA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.806705
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2
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 | A3470 Southern Appalachian Mafic Shrubland Alliance | A3470 | 2.B.2.Nc.1.c |
| Association | CEGL004243 Streambank Mock Orange - Common Hoptree / Little Bluestem - Stone Mountainmint / Delicate Fern Moss Shrubland | CEGL004243 | 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
- McManamay, R. H. 2015. Vegetation mapping at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. Natural Resource Report NPS/SECN/NRR--2015/1088. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 278 pp.
- NatureServe Ecology - Southeastern United States. No date. Unpublished data. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.