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A3890 Schizachyrium scoparium - Andropogon ternarius - Bouteloua curtipendula Patch Prairie Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: These are dry and dry-mesic grasslands and patch prairies of the Interior Low Plateau, southern Ridge and Valley, and the southern Piedmont, typically dominated by Andropogon gyrans, Andropogon ternarius, Andropogon virginicus, Helianthus mollis, Helianthus occidentalis, Lespedeza capitata, Panicum anceps, Panicum virgatum, Pycnanthemum tenuifolium, Schizachyrium scoparium, Silphium terebinthinaceum, Silphium trifoliatum, Solidago juncea, and Sorghastrum nutans.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Little Bluestem - Splitbeard Bluestem - Sideoats Grama Patch Prairie Alliance

Colloquial Name: South-Central Dry Patch Prairie

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This alliance includes dry and dry-mesic grasslands and patch prairies found primarily in the Interior Low Plateau and the southern Ridge and Valley, with one association being found in the southern Piedmont. Stands are typically dominated by native forbs, graminoids, and warm-season grasses, particularly members of the Asteraceae, Fabaceae, and Poaceae. Some of the plants that may be found in or codominate stands of this alliance include Andropogon gyrans, Andropogon ternarius, Andropogon virginicus, Helianthus mollis, Helianthus occidentalis, Lespedeza capitata, Panicum anceps, Panicum virgatum, Pycnanthemum tenuifolium, Schizachyrium scoparium, Silphium terebinthinaceum, Silphium trifoliatum, Solidago juncea, and Sorghastrum nutans. Stands of this alliance occur in ridges and upper slopes in gently rolling topography. Soil moisture and texture vary, but textures tend to be coarser and well-drained (loams or sands). These soils may be formed from a variety of materials, including eolian or alluvial sand, limestone, dolomite, sandstone, chert, loess, or shale.

Diagnostic Characteristics: These are grasslands and patch prairies, primarily of the Interior Low Plateau, most of which are rare and in need of restoration, typically with grasses such as Andropogon gyrans, Andropogon ternarius, Panicum anceps, Panicum virgatum, Schizachyrium scoparium, and Sorghastrum nutans.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This is the drier (dry-mesic) phase of native interior grasslands of the mid-south. In the Daniel Boone National Forest (and many other areas in the eastern North America), this alliance is apparently represented on powerline rights-of-way and other mowed or maintained areas; resolution is needed as to how to deal with natural prairies vs. powerline vegetation common eastward. In Kentucky, associations are known from the Big Barrens, the eastern Knobs, and from the Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This alliance is characterized by dry to dry-mesic medium and tall grasslands. The dominant lifeforms in stands of this alliance are medium and tall grasses, although forbs can be abundant as well. Woody species are uncommon in well-managed examples, but trees and shrubs can occur as scattered individuals or clumps. Vegetation tends to be dense and between 1-1.5 m tall.

Floristics: Stands are typically dominated by native forbs, graminoids, and warm-season grasses, particularly members of the Poaceae, Asteraceae and Fabaceae. Some of the plants that may be found in or codominate stands of this alliance include Andropogon gyrans, Andropogon ternarius, Andropogon virginicus, Helianthus mollis, Helianthus occidentalis, Lespedeza capitata, Panicum anceps, Panicum virgatum, Pycnanthemum tenuifolium, Schizachyrium scoparium, Silphium terebinthinaceum, Silphium trifoliatum, Solidago juncea, and Sorghastrum nutans.

Dynamics:  Fires were a common occurrence in stands of this alliance before European settlement altered fire regimes. In the prolonged absence of fire, woody species usually invade and can become abundant. The grassland characteristics of the site can be lost after several years in the absence of fire, grazing, or other disturbance. Threats to these communities include fire suppression, livestock grazing, and damage by feral hogs and vehicles.
Environmental Description:  These are dry and dry-mesic grasslands and patch prairies. Stands of this alliance occur in ridges and upper slopes in gently rolling topography. Soil moisture and texture vary, but textures tend to be coarser and well-drained (loams or sands). These soils may be formed from a variety of materials, including eolian or alluvial sand, limestone, dolomite, sandstone, chert, loess, or shale.
Geographic Range: The associations of this alliance are primarily found in the Interior Low Plateau and the southern Ridge and Valley. One association is found in the southern Piedmont. The alliance ranges from Virginia and West Virginia south and west through Kentucky and Tennessee to Georgia and Alabama.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AL, GA, KY, TN, VA, WV


Confidence Level: Low

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.3 Little Bluestem - Dropseed species Central Interior Calcareous Scrub & Grassland Macrogroup M508 2.B.2.Nc.3
Group 2.B.2.Nc.3.a Big Bluestem - Little Bluestem - Ashy Sunflower Patch Prairie Group G174 2.B.2.Nc.3.a
Alliance A3890 Little Bluestem - Splitbeard Bluestem - Sideoats Grama Patch Prairie Alliance A3890 2.B.2.Nc.3.a
Association CEGL004063 Little Bluestem - Beaked Panicgrass - Switchgrass - Round-head Bushclover - Nutrush species Grassland CEGL004063 2.B.2.Nc.3.a
Association CEGL004757 Little Bluestem - Big Bluestem - Prairie Rosinweed Coosa Valley Barren Grassland CEGL004757 2.B.2.Nc.3.a
Association CEGL006572 Little Bluestem - Indiangrass - Early Goldenrod - Narrowleaf Mountainmint Grassland CEGL006572 2.B.2.Nc.3.a
Association CEGL007707 Little Bluestem - (Elliott''s Bluestem, Splitbeard Bluestem, Broomsedge Bluestem) Grassland CEGL007707 2.B.2.Nc.3.a
Association CEGL007708 Little Bluestem - Nuttall''s Reedgrass Grassland CEGL007708 2.B.2.Nc.3.a
Association CEGL007805 Little Bluestem - (Ashy Sunflower, Fewleaf Sunflower, Whorled Rosinweed) Grassland CEGL007805 2.B.2.Nc.3.a
Association CEGL007932 Little Bluestem - Indiangrass - Rosinweed species Grassland CEGL007932 2.B.2.Nc.3.a
Concept Lineage: All associations in this alliance come from old A.1198, the unglaciated mid-south part of this old alliance.

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: >< ID4a. Bluestem Tallgrass Prairie (Allard 1990)
Concept Author(s): M. Pyne, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: M. Pyne

Acknowledgements: We have incorporated significant descriptive information previously compiled by Judy Teague.

Version Date: 03-14-14
  • Allard, D. J. 1990. Southeastern United States ecological community classification. Interim report, Version 1.2. The Nature Conservancy, Southeast Regional Office, Chapel Hill, NC. 96 pp.
  • DeSelm, H. R. 1990. Flora and vegetation of some barrens of the eastern Highland Rim of Tennessee. Castanea 55:187-206.
  • Evans, M., B. Yahn, and M. Hines. 2009. Natural communities of Kentucky 2009. Kentucky Nature Preserves Commission, Frankfort, KY. 22 pp.
  • 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.
  • Rostlund, E. 1957. The myth of a natural prairie belt in Alabama: An interpretation of historical records. Annals of the Association of American Geographers 47:392-411.