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M506 Rhododendron catawbiense / Saxifraga michauxii - Danthonia compressa Felsic & Mafic Scrub & Grassland Macrogroup
Type Concept Sentence: This vegetation macrogroup encompasses a variety of grass- and shrub-dominated communities, sometimes with scattered and/or stunted trees. This concept includes communities colloquially called balds, barrens, rock outcrops, and granitic flatrocks. Vegetation of this macrogroup is found in the Appalachian and Piedmont regions of the eastern United States with outliers in adjacent Canada.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Catawba Rosebay / Michaux''s Saxifrage - Flattened Oatgrass Felsic & Mafic Scrub & Grassland Macrogroup
Colloquial Name: Appalachian Rocky Felsic & Mafic Scrub & Grassland
Hierarchy Level: Macrogroup
Type Concept: This vegetation macrogroup encompasses a variety of grass- and shrub-dominated communities, sometimes with scattered and/or stunted trees, known colloquially as balds, barrens, flatrocks, rock outcrops, rocky domes, and rocky summits. They are found in the Appalachian and Piedmont regions of the eastern United States (with outliers in adjacent Canada), from higher to lower elevations. A suite of species tolerant of dry and rocky conditions are characteristic. At lower elevations this includes Danthonia spicata, Dichanthelium spp., and Schizachyrium scoparium, with trees including Pinus virginiana, Quercus montana, Quercus stellata, and/or Quercus velutina. At higher elevations this includes Carex pensylvanica, Danthonia compressa, Huperzia selago, Minuartia groenlandica, Sibbaldiopsis tridentata, and Trichophorum cespitosum. Shrubs may include Kalmia latifolia, Rhododendron catawbiense, and Vaccinium corymbosum. Appalachian oak barrens are dominated by grasses and shrubs, typically with scattered trees, including Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana, Quercus marilandica, Quercus montana, Quercus stellata, and/or Quercus velutina found on rocky substrates of a range of soil chemistries in the broadly-conceived Appalachian region. Appalachian balds may be dominated by shrubs or by graminoids and low forbs, and are found on higher peaks in the Southern Appalachians. The most characteristic species are Carex pensylvanica, Danthonia compressa, Rhododendron catawbiense, and Sibbaldiopsis tridentata. Granitic domes, flatrocks, and associated solution pools are found in the southern Piedmont of the United States. This vegetation is dominated by Croton michauxii var. ellipticus, Minuartia glabra, Packera tomentosa, Schizachyrium scoparium, and Phemeranthus spp., with Diamorpha smallii having high cover in some examples. The pools are distinctive and contain Amphianthus pusillus.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This macrogroup includes a variety of grass- and shrub-dominated communities, sometimes with scattered and/or stunted trees, found in the Appalachian and Piedmont regions of the eastern United States. This concept includes communities colloquially called balds, barrens, rock outcrops, and granitic flatrocks. It contains a diverse suite of physiognomies, including scattered trees over grasses and shrubs, to open grasslands, dense shrublands, and patchy herbaceous vegetation on rocky outcrops.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This is a diverse macrogroup. Choosing a set of nominals for the scientific name was a challenge. There is not a nominal to represent the Piedmont flatrock component. Although many of the species listed do occur in Massachusetts, there are enough southern species that don''t get to Massachusetts, and for those related occurrences, ~Laurentian-Acadian Acidic Rocky Scrub & Grassland Macrogroup (M505)$$ fits better.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This macrogroup contains a diverse suite of physiognomies, including scattered trees over grasses and shrubs, to open grasslands, dense shrublands, and patchy herbaceous vegetation on rocky outcrops.
Floristics: A suite of species tolerant of dry and rocky conditions are generally characteristic of this vegetation. At lower elevations this includes Danthonia spicata, Dichanthelium spp., and Schizachyrium scoparium, with trees including Pinus virginiana, Quercus montana (= Quercus prinus), Quercus stellata, and/or Quercus velutina. At higher elevations this includes Carex pensylvanica, Danthonia compressa, Huperzia selago, Minuartia groenlandica, Sibbaldiopsis tridentata, and Trichophorum cespitosum. Shrubs may include Kalmia latifolia, Rhododendron catawbiense, and Vaccinium corymbosum. Appalachian oak barrens are dominated by grasses and shrubs, typically with scattered trees, including Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana, Quercus marilandica, Quercus montana, Quercus stellata, and/or Quercus velutina, found on rocky substrates of a range of soil chemistries in the broadly-conceived Appalachian region. Possible dominant graminoids include Andropogon virginicus, Carex pensylvanica, Danthonia spicata, Deschampsia flexuosa, Elymus hystrix (= Hystrix patula), Piptochaetium avenaceum, Schizachyrium scoparium, and Sporobolus compositus. Some other characteristic plants include Cheilanthes lanosa, Phacelia dubia, Phlox subulata, Polygonatum biflorum, Polygonum scandens var. cristatum, Tradescantia virginiana, and Woodsia obtusa. In more felsic examples, lichens (Cladonia spp.) and mosses are prominent on exposed rock. Appalachian balds may be dominated by shrubs or by graminoids and low forbs, and are found on higher peaks in the Southern Appalachians. The most characteristic species are Carex pensylvanica, Danthonia compressa, Rhododendron catawbiense, and Sibbaldiopsis tridentata. Granitic domes, flatrocks, and associated solution pools are found in the southern Piedmont of the United States. This vegetation is dominated by Croton michauxii var. ellipticus (= Croton willdenowii), Minuartia glabra, Packera tomentosa, Schizachyrium scoparium, and Phemeranthus (= Talinum) spp., with Diamorpha smallii having high cover in some examples. The pools are distinctive and contain Amphianthus pusillus.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: These grass- and shrub-dominated communities, sometimes with scattered and or stunted trees, are known colloquially as balds, barrens, flatrocks, rock outcrops, rocky domes, and rocky summits.
Geographic Range: This vegetation is found from the northeastern U.S. south through the Central and Southern Appalachians, Cumberland Plateau, and Piedmont south to Georgia and Alabama, and includes an outlier in southern Ontario, Canada.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AL, GA, KY, MA, MD, NC, NJ, NY, PA, SC, TN, VA, WV
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.877355
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- Faber-Langendoen, D., J. Drake, S. Gawler, M. Hall, C. Josse, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, L. Sneddon, K. Schulz, J. Teague, M. Russo, K. Snow, and P. Comer, editors. 2010-2019a. Divisions, Macrogroups and Groups for the Revised U.S. National Vegetation Classification. NatureServe, Arlington, VA. plus appendices. [in preparation]