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G334 Andropogon gerardii - Sorghastrum nutans - Schizachyrium scoparium Tallgrass Prairie Group

Type Concept Sentence: This group occurs in the southeastern Great Plains from Kansas and southwestern Missouri to central Texas on thin or rocky soils where the tallgrasses Andropogon gerardii, Panicum virgatum, and Sorghastrum nutans dominate or codominate, usually with Schizachyrium scoparium and species typical of southern prairies such as Bothriochloa laguroides, Dichanthelium spp., Stenaria nigricans, and Liatris punctata var. mucronata.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Big Bluestem - Indiangrass - Little Bluestem Tallgrass Prairie Group

Colloquial Name: Southern Tallgrass Prairie

Hierarchy Level:  Group

Type Concept: This group is found primarily within the Flint Hills and Osage Plains of Kansas and Oklahoma ranging into the Arkansas River Valley region of Arkansas and Oklahoma and the undissected portions of the Springfield Plateau region of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Missouri. Small patches can be found in the Ozarks of Missouri and the Arbuckle Mountains of Oklahoma. In southern Oklahoma and Texas, this is the primary natural group of the "Grand Prairie" or "Fort Worth Prairie," ranging south into the Lampasas Cutplain of Texas. It is distinguished from ~Central Tallgrass Prairie Group (G333)$$ by having more species with southwestern geographic affinities and the presence of a thin or rocky soil layer over limestone beds ranging to more acidic substrates, although some areas of deeper soil are found within the region, especially on lower slopes, draws and terraces. Because of the presence of the rocky substrate close to the surface and the rolling topography, this area is relatively unsuitable for agriculture. The Flint Hills contain one of the largest remaining, relatively intact pieces of tallgrass prairie. The vegetation in this group is typified by tallgrass species such as Andropogon gerardii, Panicum virgatum, Schizachyrium scoparium, and Sorghastrum nutans forming a dense cover. A moderate to high density of forb species also occurs. Species composition varies geographically, with Oligoneuron rigidum, Liatris punctata, Symphyotrichum ericoides, Lespedeza capitata, and Viola pedatifida occurring in some localities. Areas of deeper soil, especially lower slopes along draws, slopes and terraces, can include Baptisia alba var. macrophylla, Liatris pycnostachya, and Vernonia missurica. Shrub and tree species are relatively infrequent and, if present, constitute less than 10% cover in the area. The combined effect of droughty soils, reduced precipitation, and prevailing level topography create conditions highly conducive to the ignition and spread of fires. Although many of the native common plant species still occur, grazing does impact this region. Poor grazing practices can lead to soil erosion and invasion by cool-season grasses such as Bromus inermis within its range.

Diagnostic Characteristics: This tallgrass group is found on thinner, rocky soils throughout the unglaciated regions of the southeastern Great Plains.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This group is distinguished from ~Central Tallgrass Prairie Group (G333)$$ by having more species with southwestern geographic affinities and the presence of a thin soil layer over limestone beds ranging to more acidic substrates.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: The vegetation is characterized by a dense layer of tall grasses interspersed with forbs.

Floristics: Tallgrass species such as Andropogon gerardii, Panicum virgatum, Schizachyrium scoparium, and Sorghastrum nutans predominate this group and often form a dense cover. Forb species such as Oligoneuron rigidum (= Solidago rigida), Liatris punctata, Symphyotrichum ericoides, Lespedeza capitata, and Viola pedatifida can also occur. In those areas of deeper soils, Baptisia alba var. macrophylla, Liatris pycnostachya, and Vernonia missurica can also occur within their range. Tree and shrub species are relatively infrequent and constitute less than 10% cover. Some other plant species which can occur include Andropogon ternarius, Aristida dichotoma, Bouteloua curtipendula, Bouteloua eriopoda, Bouteloua gracilis, Bouteloua hirsuta, Calamagrostis canadensis, Coreopsis grandiflora, Croton michauxii var. ellipticus (= Croton willdenowii), Danthonia spicata, Helianthus grosseserratus, Mentzelia oligosperma, Rudbeckia missouriensis, Silene regia, and Tradescantia bracteata. Other possible forb species, especially in examples in the Arkansas River Valley and Springfield Plateau, include Helianthus mollis, Rudbeckia subtomentosa, Silphium laciniatum, Symphyotrichum spp., Solidago spp., Camassia scilloides, Echinacea pallida, Callirhoe digitata, Asclepias hirtella, Eryngium yuccifolium, Delphinium carolinianum, Castilleja coccinea, Calopogon oklahomensis, Buchnera americana, Dodecatheon meadia, Amorpha canescens, Tephrosia virginiana, Orbexilum pedunculatum, Baptisia alba, Baptisia bracteata, Liatris pycnostachya, and Liatris squarrosa var. hirsuta (= Liatris hirsuta). Examples in the Arkansas Valley and Springfield Plateau can have wetter areas that support a rich diversity of rushes and sedges, including Carex opaca, Carex oklahomensis, Carex buxbaumii, Carex scoparia, Carex conjuncta, Carex davisii, Carex arkansana, Eleocharis tenuis var. verrucosa, Eleocharis wolfii, and Rhynchospora macrostachya.

Dynamics:  Fire and grazing are the prevalent dynamic processes in examples of this group. Overgrazing can lead to soil erosion and invasion of cool-season grasses. Fire suppression can lead to increased cover of woody species.
Environmental Description:  This group is typified by the thin or rocky soil layer over limestone beds or acidic substrates such as chert or granite, although areas of deeper soils are possible along lower slopes, draws and terraces. The topography is rolling and mostly unsuitable for agriculture. The combined effect of droughty soils, reduced precipitation, and prevailing level topography create conditions highly conducive to the ignition and spread of fires.
Geographic Range: This group is found primarily within the Flint Hills and Osage Plains of Kansas and Oklahoma ranging east into the Arkansas River Valley and Springfield Plateau of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Missouri and south into the Lampasas Cutplain of Texas. Small patches can be found in the Ozarks of Missouri and the Arbuckle Mountains of Oklahoma.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AR, KS, MO, OK


Confidence Level: Moderate

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR

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.Nb Central North American Grassland & Shrubland Division D023 2.B.2.Nb
Macrogroup 2.B.2.Nb.1 Big Bluestem - Indiangrass - Dense Blazingstar Tallgrass Prairie Macrogroup M054 2.B.2.Nb.1
Group 2.B.2.Nb.1.b Big Bluestem - Indiangrass - Little Bluestem Tallgrass Prairie Group G334 2.B.2.Nb.1.b
Alliance A0899 Cockspur Hawthorn - Green Hawthorn - Possum-haw Prairie Shrubland Alliance A0899 2.B.2.Nb.1.b
Alliance A4045 Big Bluestem - Indiangrass - Sunflower species Southern Grassland Alliance A4045 2.B.2.Nb.1.b
Alliance A4046 Little Bluestem - Pale Purple Coneflower Southern Grassland Alliance A4046 2.B.2.Nb.1.b
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: > Flint Hills Tallgrass Prairie (Lauver et al. 1999)
Concept Author(s): S. Menard and K. Kindscher, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2011)

Author of Description: S. Menard and K. Kindscher

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 05-07-15
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