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A3290 Quercus stellata - Quercus marilandica - Quercus alba Ozark-Ouachita Woodland Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: These are dry post oak - blackjack oak woodlands and open forests primarily of the Ozark and Ouachita ecoregions, dominated by Quercus alba, Quercus falcata, Quercus marilandica, Quercus stellata, and Quercus velutina.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Post Oak - Blackjack Oak - White Oak Ozark-Ouachita Woodland Alliance

Colloquial Name: Ozark-Ouachita Post Oak - Blackjack Oak Woodland

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This alliance encompasses dry post oak - blackjack oak woodlands and open forests primarily of the Ozark and Ouachita ecoregions. Quercus marilandica and Quercus stellata are characteristic. Other typical tree species include Quercus alba, Quercus falcata, and Quercus velutina, with or without Carya species. Typical understory species include Vaccinium arboreum, Amelanchier arborea, and Ostrya virginiana. The tree canopy is short (6-15 m [20-50 feet]), slow-growing, and open, and may be stunted. Tree crowns are spreading, open, and limby. The understory is poorly developed and consists of widely scattered shrubs. They are most commonly found in isolated patches on dry, rapidly drained, shallow soils. Bedrock can be sandstone, chert, or igneous material. Rock fragments, cobbles, or boulders are commonly strewn over the surface. This vegetation is best developed on south- and west-facing slopes and ridgetops of steep-walled valleys and canyons.

Diagnostic Characteristics: This alliance is partly differentiated on biogeographic criteria. It includes a variety of woodlands and open forests from the Ozark-Ouachita region which are dominated by a variable combination of Quercus alba, Quercus falcata, Quercus marilandica, and/or Quercus stellata, with or without Carya species.

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: These are woodlands or open forests with a generally open canopy whose closure depends on fire-return time and other disturbance such as wind events. Examples frequently occur on dry, rapidly drained, shallow soils. The tree canopy is short (6-15 m [20-50 feet]), slow-growing, and open, and may be stunted. Tree crowns are spreading, open, and limby. The understory is poorly developed and consists of widely scattered shrubs.

Floristics: Quercus marilandica and Quercus stellata are characteristic. Other typical tree species include Quercus alba, Quercus falcata, and Quercus velutina, with or without Carya species. Other trees that may be present in the canopy or subcanopy may include Carya texana, Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana, Nyssa sylvatica, Quercus similis, and Ulmus alata. Typical understory species include Amelanchier arborea, Ostrya virginiana, and Vaccinium arboreum. Some herbs that may be present include Carex cherokeensis, Croton michauxii, Danthonia spicata, Monarda fistulosa, Schizachyrium scoparium, and Sporobolus clandestinus.

Dynamics:  This alliance is partly differentiated on biogeographic criteria. It includes a variety of woodlands and open forests from the Ozark-Ouachita region which are dominated by a variable combination of Quercus alba, Quercus falcata, Quercus marilandica, and/or Quercus stellata, with or without Carya species. Quercus montana is largely absent from the range of this alliance.
Environmental Description:  Stands of this alliance are most commonly found in isolated patches on dry, rapidly drained, shallow soils. Bedrock can be sandstone, chert, or igneous material. Rock fragments, cobbles, or boulders are commonly strewn over the surface. This vegetation is best developed on south- and west-facing slopes and ridgetops of steep-walled valleys and canyons.
Geographic Range: This alliance is found in the Ozark and Ouachita ecoregions of Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Some associations range into Kentucky, Illinois, and Indiana, as well as possibly into the adjacent Gulf Coastal Plain. A few associations placed here are attributed to the Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain of Arkansas, possibly extending into Texas and Louisiana.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AR, IL, IN, KY, LA, MO, MS?, OK, TN?, TX?


Confidence Level: Low

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.1 White Oak - Southern Red Oak - Shortleaf Pine Forest & Woodland Macrogroup M016 1.B.2.Na.1
Group 1.B.2.Na.1.c White Oak - Southern Red Oak - Northern Red Oak Forest & Woodland Group G159 1.B.2.Na.1.c
Alliance A3290 Post Oak - Blackjack Oak - White Oak Ozark-Ouachita Woodland Alliance A3290 1.B.2.Na.1.c
Association CEGL002075 Post Oak - Blackjack Oak - (Pignut Hickory, Black Hickory) / Farkleberry Forest CEGL002075 1.B.2.Na.1.c
Association CEGL002149 Post Oak - Blackjack Oak - Black Oak - Black Hickory / Little Bluestem Woodland CEGL002149 1.B.2.Na.1.c
Association CEGL002150 White Oak - Post Oak - Black Oak / Little Bluestem Woodland CEGL002150 1.B.2.Na.1.c
Association CEGL002396 Post Oak - Black Oak - White Oak - (Southern Red Oak) / Michaux''s Croton Sand Woodland CEGL002396 1.B.2.Na.1.c
Association CEGL002425 Blackjack Oak / Farkleberry / Poverty Oatgrass Scrub Woodland CEGL002425 1.B.2.Na.1.c
Association CEGL003884 Post Oak - Ashe''s Blackjack Oak Interior Highlands Scrub Woodland CEGL003884 1.B.2.Na.1.c
Association CEGL004064 Post Oak - Southern Red Oak / Hophornbeam Forest CEGL004064 1.B.2.Na.1.c
Association CEGL004803 Eastern Red-cedar - (White Oak, Post Oak) - Black Hickory Forest CEGL004803 1.B.2.Na.1.c
Association CEGL008414 White Oak - Southern Red Oak - Post Oak - Blackgum / Cherokee Sedge Forest CEGL008414 1.B.2.Na.1.c
Association CEGL008418 Post Oak - Bottomland Post Oak - Blackjack Oak Saline Woodland CEGL008418 1.B.2.Na.1.c
Concept Lineage: This new alliance brings together associations from several old alliances A.241 (1/12), A.243 (1/7), A.253 (1/4), A.383 (1/4), A.613 (1/6), and A.625 (4/35).

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
Concept Author(s): M. Pyne, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: M. Pyne

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 01-08-14
  • 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.