Print Report
A3106 Quercus muehlenbergii Appalachian Limestone Woodland Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance comprises calcareous woodlands of the Central Appalachians and Southern Blue Ridge characterized by an open canopy of Quercus muehlenbergii with a diversity of dry-site, calciphilic herbs.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Chinquapin Oak Appalachian Limestone Woodland Alliance
Colloquial Name: Appalachian Limestone Chinquapin Oak Woodland
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance contains woodlands in which Quercus muehlenbergii is a characteristic, and sometimes dominant, tree. Associated canopy species include Carya ovata, Cercis canadensis, Cornus florida, Fraxinus americana, Juniperus virginiana, Liriodendron tulipifera, Ostrya virginiana, and Quercus alba. Shrubs are scattered and may include Ceanothus americanus, Rhus aromatica var. aromatica, and Rosa carolina. Characteristic herbs vary among sites but often include Andropogon gerardii, Antennaria plantaginifolia, Bouteloua curtipendula var. curtipendula, Carex pensylvanica, Cynoglossum officinale, Elymus hystrix, Helianthus divaricatus, Lithospermum canescens, Phlox subulata, Pycnanthemum incanum, Schizachyrium scoparium, Solidago arguta var. harrisii, and Sorghastrum nutans. This vegetation occurs in the Central Appalachians and Southern Blue Ridge on moderate slopes on calcareous loams derived from limestone or dolomite.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Open woodland of calcareous bedrock, with often stunted Quercus muehlenbergii and dry-site calciphilic herbs. Andropogon gerardii, Bouteloua curtipendula var. curtipendula, Schizachyrium scoparium var. scoparium, and Sorghastrum nutans are characteristic grasses.
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 canopy is often sparse, with widely spaced trees, although the physiognomy is variable.
Floristics: Associated canopy species include Carya ovata, Cercis canadensis, Cornus florida, Fraxinus americana, Juniperus virginiana, Liriodendron tulipifera, Ostrya virginiana, and Quercus alba. Shrubs are scattered and may include Ceanothus americanus, Rhus aromatica var. aromatica, and Rosa carolina. Characteristic herbs vary among sites but often include Andropogon gerardii, Antennaria plantaginifolia, Bouteloua curtipendula var. curtipendula, Carex pensylvanica, Cynoglossum officinale, Elymus hystrix, Helianthus divaricatus, Lithospermum canescens, Phlox subulata, Pycnanthemum incanum, Schizachyrium scoparium, Solidago arguta var. harrisii, and Sorghastrum nutans.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This vegetation is usually restricted to shallow soils derived from calcareous bedrock on gently rolling terrain or on slopes, which may be steep. The moisture regime of these communities is generally dry to well-drained.
Geographic Range: This alliance is restricted to the Central Appalachians from Pennsylvania and Ohio to West Virginia and the Virginia Ridge and Valley.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: MD, OH, PA, VA, WV
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899236
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.2 Appalachian-Northeastern Oak - Hardwood - Pine Forest & Woodland Macrogroup | M502 | 1.B.2.Na.2 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Na.2.b Chinquapin Oak - White Ash - Eastern Red-cedar Forest & Woodland Group | G016 | 1.B.2.Na.2.b |
| Alliance | A3106 Chinquapin Oak Appalachian Limestone Woodland Alliance | A3106 | 1.B.2.Na.2.b |
| Association | CEGL006017 <i>Acer saccharum - Quercus muehlenbergii</i> / Eastern Redbud Woodland | CEGL006017 | 1.B.2.Na.2.b |
| Association | CEGL006030 Chinquapin Oak / Prairie Groundsel - Glade Wild Quinine - Little Bluestem Woodland | CEGL006030 | 1.B.2.Na.2.b |
| Association | CEGL006231 Chinquapin Oak - Eastern Redbud / Roundleaf Ragwort - Hoary Puccoon Woodland | CEGL006231 | 1.B.2.Na.2.b |
Concept Lineage: Split from A.621 to restrict to G016
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Glade woodland (Bartgis 1993)
? Northern Appalachian Calcareous Rocky Summit (Smith 1991)
? Wooded barrens (Allard 1946)
? Northern Appalachian Calcareous Rocky Summit (Smith 1991)
? Wooded barrens (Allard 1946)
- Allard, H. A. 1946. Shale barren associations on Massanutten Mountain, Virginia. Castanea 11:74-124.
- Bartgis, R. L. 1993. The limestone glades and barrens of West Virginia. Castanea 58:69-89.
- Faber-Langendoen, D., J. Drake, M. Hall, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, M. Russo, K. Schulz, L. Sneddon, K. Snow, and J. Teague. 2013-2019b. Screening alliances for induction into the U.S. National Vegetation Classification: Part 1 - Alliance concept review. NatureServe, Arlington, VA.
- Fike, J. 1999. Terrestrial and palustrine plant communities of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Recreation, Bureau of Forestry, Harrisburg, PA. 86 pp.
- Smith, T. L. 1991. Natural ecological communities of Pennsylvania. First revision. Unpublished report. Pennsylvania Science Office of The Nature Conservancy, Middletown, PA. 111 pp.