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G670 Carex misera - Saxifraga michauxii - Vaccinium corymbosum Appalachian Rocky Outcrop Group
Type Concept Sentence: These are generally treeless rock outcrops of the southern and central Appalachian Mountains, generally characterized by a mixture of low-growing lifeforms, especially lichens, mosses, and short-statured forbs with graminoids and low shrubs; characteristic species include Carex misera, Saxifraga michauxii, and Vaccinium corymbosum.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Wretched Sedge - Michaux''s Saxifrage - Highbush Blueberry Appalachian Rocky Outcrop Group
Colloquial Name: Southern Appalachian Rocky Outcrop
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: These are treeless rock outcrops of the southern and central Appalachian Mountains, best developed in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. The vegetation is generally characterized by a mixture of low-growing lifeforms, especially lichens, mosses, and short-statured forbs. Less commonly, graminoids and low shrubs are encountered. Species common to all outcrop vegetation types include Carex misera, Saxifraga michauxii, and Vaccinium corymbosum. Outcrops may be vertical to horizontal, rugged or fractured rock outcrops of peaks, ridgetops, upper slopes, and other topographically exposed locations. Higher elevation examples occur from 1200 to 2030 m in elevation; other examples may be found at elevations of 305 m (1000 feet) or lower on foothills. These outcrops occur on felsic to mafic rocks and are distinguished from surrounding systems by the prevalence of bare or lichen-encrusted rocks. This group unifies several vegetation types with widely differing physiognomies, ranging from woodland to low shrubland, to perennial grassland, to lichen-dominated with low vascular plant cover. They are unified by their common environments, which include rock outcrops, boulderfields, exfoliation outcrops, consolidated cliffs, unconsolidated bouldery talus, and rocky domes and summits in the Central and Southern Appalachians.
Diagnostic Characteristics: These are generally treeless rock outcrops of the central and southern Appalachian Mountains, best developed in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. The vegetation is generally characterized by a mixture of low-growing lifeforms, especially lichens, mosses, and short-statured forbs. Less commonly, graminoids and low shrubs are encountered. Species common to all outcrop vegetation types include Carex misera, Saxifraga michauxii, and Vaccinium corymbosum (Wiser and White 1999).
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: The vegetation is generally characterized by a mixture of low-growing lifeforms, especially lichens, mosses, and short-statured forbs. Less commonly, graminoids and low shrubs are encountered.
Floristics: The vegetation is generally characterized by a mixture of low-growing lifeforms, especially lichens, mosses, and short-statured forbs. Less commonly, graminoids and low shrubs are encountered. Species common to all outcrop vegetation types include Carex misera, Saxifraga michauxii, and Vaccinium corymbosum (Wiser and White 1999). Additional rock outcrop herbs may be present, including Heuchera villosa, Hylotelephium telephioides (= Sedum telephioides), Krigia montana, and Paronychia argyrocoma, along with more widespread herbs of open areas such as Danthonia compressa, Danthonia spicata, Houstonia caerulea, Potentilla canadensis, and Schizachyrium scoparium. Mosses are usually present but often do not have substantial cover. High-elevation examples have an additional suite of herbs, which include some northern disjunct species such as Huperzia selago, Minuartia groenlandica, Sibbaldiopsis tridentata, and Trichophorum cespitosum. Shrubs and stunted trees are usually present in patches, where crevices or deeper soil accumulations are present. A few shrubs, such as Leiophyllum buxifolium, are largely limited to this system, but most are widespread species of dry forests and woodlands. Shrubs in the Ericaceae family are particularly prominent. Other characteristic herbaceous species may include Bulbostylis capillaris, Calamagrostis cainii, Carex biltmoreana, Carex umbellata, Cheilanthes lanosa, Coreopsis major, Danthonia spicata, Houstonia longifolia, Hypericum gentianoides, Krigia montana, Minuartia groenlandica, Oclemena acuminata, Paronychia argyrocoma, Pycnanthemum spp., Selaginella rupestris, Selaginella tortipila, and Solidago glomerata. The lichens Cladonia spp., Lasallia papulosa, and Lasallia caroliniana (= Umbilicaria caroliniana) may be present. Shrubs may include Hudsonia montana, Leiophyllum buxifolium, and Vaccinium pallidum. Trees are limited but may include Pinus echinata, Pinus virginiana, Quercus montana (= Quercus prinus), and Quercus stellata.
Dynamics: Effects in these exposed, high-elevation environments which limit tree stature and growth include nearly constant wind, as well as snow and ice, which can be extensive in the winter months.
Environmental Description: These are generally treeless rock outcrops of the central and southern Appalachian Mountains, best developed in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. The outcrops may be vertical to horizontal, rugged or fractured rock outcrops of peaks, ridgetops, upper slopes, and other topographically exposed locations (Schafale and Weakley 1990). Higher elevation examples occur from 1200 to 2030 m in elevation; other examples may be found at elevations of 305 m (1000 feet) or lower on foothills. These outcrops occur on felsic to mafic rocks.
Geographic Range: This vegetation is found at a variety of elevations in the central and southern Appalachian Mountains. It is best developed in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, and ranges south to Georgia and north into Virginia.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: GA, NC, SC?, TN, VA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.877423
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.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.d Wretched Sedge - Michaux''s Saxifrage - Highbush Blueberry Appalachian Rocky Outcrop Group | G670 | 2.B.2.Nc.1.d |
| Alliance | A1621 Michaux''s Saxifrage - Wretched Sedge - Little Bluestem Rocky Grassland Alliance | A1621 | 2.B.2.Nc.1.d |
| Alliance | A3960 Chestnut Oak - Shortleaf Pine / Little Bluestem Scrub Alliance | A3960 | 2.B.2.Nc.1.d |
| Alliance | A3961 Rock Spikemoss - Twisted-hair Spikemoss - Little Bluestem Rocky Grassland Alliance | A3961 | 2.B.2.Nc.1.d |
Concept Lineage: G173 split into G670 & G671 (DFL 7-24-12)
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]
- Schafale, M. P., and A. S. Weakley. 1990. Classification of the natural communities of North Carolina. Third approximation. North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh. 325 pp.
- Wiser, S. K., and P. S. White. 1999. High-elevation outcrops and barrens of the southern Appalachian Mountains. Pages 119-132 in: Anderson, R. C., J. S. Fralish, and J. M. Baskin, editors. Savannas, barrens and rock outcrop plant communities of North America. Cambridge University Press.