Print Report
A3795 Schizachyrium scoparium Riverscour Prairie Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance comprises Appalachian and Piedmont riverscour prairies of Tennessee and North Carolina, characterized by Schizachyrium scoparium. Vegetation is highly variable in composition and structure, with plants often restricted to boulder cracks and shallow soil pockets. Other associated taxa include species of Solidago and Symphyotrichum, as well as woody saplings such as Platanus occidentalis.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Little Bluestem Riverscour Prairie Alliance
Colloquial Name: Little Bluestem Riverscour Prairie
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance comprises Appalachian and Piedmont riverscour prairies of Tennessee and North Carolina, characterized by Schizachyrium scoparium. Associations placed in this alliance have been documented from boulder scour prairies on the Yadkin River in Montgomery and Stanley counties, North Carolina, and from the Ocoee and Hiwassee rivers in southeastern Tennessee. Vegetation of this alliance is dominated by Schizachyrium scoparium, with other perennial grasses, e.g., Andropogon ternarius and Sporobolus clandestinus. Other herbaceous species typically include woody vines (e.g., Bignonia capreolata, Gelsemium sempervirens, and Toxicodendron radicans). Asteraceae and Fabaceae are also typical, including some rare and endemic species. Some Asteraceae include Coreopsis tripteris, Liatris microcephala, the rare endemic Pityopsis ruthii, Solidago sp., Symphyotrichum novae-angliae in a Tennessee association, and the rare endemic Solidago plumosa and Symphyotrichum dumosum in a North Carolina one. Woody saplings of Platanus occidentalis and other woody plants that can tolerate flood-battering may be present as well. Shrubs and other woody plants are scattered, being restricted in their stature and cover by flooding. Alterations in hydrology may lead to greater cover of woody plants, including some exotics. This alliance is likely extremely restricted naturally, being limited to short stretches of rivers. Its habitat has been affected and limited by the effects of impoundments and resulting changes in flooding regimes. The vegetation is highly variable in composition and structure, with plants often restricted to boulder cracks and shallow soil pockets.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This alliance accommodates riverscour prairies of Appalachian or Piedmont rivers of Tennessee and North Carolina; Schizachyrium scoparium is characteristic.
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: Stands of the vegetation of this alliance are dominated by perennial grasses with woody vines and members of the Asteraceae and Fabaceae. Saplings of woody plants that can tolerate flood-battering may be present as well. Shrubs and other woody plants are scattered, being restricted in their stature and cover by flooding. The vegetation is highly variable in composition and structure, with plants often restricted to boulder cracks and shallow soil pockets.
Floristics: Associations placed in this alliance have been documented from boulder scour prairies on the Yadkin River in Montgomery and Stanley counties, North Carolina, and from the Ocoee and Hiwassee rivers in southeastern Tennessee. In Yadkin County, North Carolina, the scour prairie is dominated by Schizachyrium scoparium, Sporobolus clandestinus, the rare endemic Solidago plumosa, Symphyotrichum dumosum (= Aster dumosus), and many other herbaceous species. Typical woody species here include Amorpha fruticosa, Amorpha schwerinii, Gelsemium sempervirens, and others. In Polk County, Tennessee, the principal grasses are Andropogon ternarius, Panicum sp., and Schizachyrium scoparium. Other abundant herbaceous species include Agalinis sp., Coreopsis tripteris, Liatris microcephala, the rare endemic Pityopsis ruthii, Solidago sp., and Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (= Aster novae-angliae). Woody saplings of Platanus occidentalis and other woody plants that can tolerate flood-battering may be present as well.
Dynamics: Alterations in hydrology may lead to greater cover of woody plants, including some exotics.
Environmental Description: This alliance is likely extremely restricted naturally, being limited to short stretches of rivers. Its habitat has been affected and limited by the effects of impoundments and resulting changes in flooding regimes. Under a natural flooding regime, these communities may have been more extensive, but lack of scour has resulted in limited habitat for them.
Geographic Range: This alliance occurs in the Appalachian and Piedmont ecoregions of Tennessee and North Carolina. It is documented from the Yadkin River in Montgomery and Stanley counties, North Carolina, and from the Hiwassee and Ocoee rivers in Polk County, Tennessee.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: NC, TN
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899847
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
Concept Lineage: A.1346, in part (3/4); I am not clear where the other member (CEGL004033) has been placed and why it is not here.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- 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.
- 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.