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A3906 Danthonia spicata - Danthonia compressa - Solidago rugosa ssp. aspera Ruderal Montane Grassland Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This high-elevation grassland of the Appalachian Mountains results from clearing and pasturing of montane forests. These communities typically occur above 1100 m (3600 feet) elevation and are known in Virginia from the Laurel Fork area of Highland County (Allegheny and Middle Mountains; Warm Springs Ranger District) and Wilburn Ridge area of Grayson County (Mount Rogers National Recreation Area). Danthonia spicata, or mixtures of Danthonia spicata and Danthonia compressa, typically dominate.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Poverty Oatgrass - Flattened Oatgrass - Wrinkleleaf Goldenrod Ruderal Montane Grassland Alliance

Colloquial Name: Ruderal Montane Oatgrass - Wrinkleleaf Goldenrod Grassland

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This high-elevation grassland of the Appalachian Mountains results from clearing and pasturing of montane forests. These communities typically occur above 1100 m (3600 feet) elevation and are known in Virginia from the Laurel Fork area of Highland County (Allegheny and Middle Mountains; Warm Springs Ranger District) and Wilburn Ridge area of Grayson County (Mount Rogers National Recreation Area). Danthonia spicata, or mixtures of Danthonia spicata and Danthonia compressa, typically dominate. Associates include Dennstaedtia punctilobula, Dichanthelium spp., Fragaria virginiana, Hieracium spp., Potentilla spp., Pteridium aquilinum var. latiusculum, Rumex acetosella, and Solidago rugosa ssp. aspera.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Short grasses, Danthonia spicata, or mixtures of Danthonia spicata and Danthonia compressa, typically dominate. Associates include Solidago rugosa ssp. aspera.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This may belong in a separate ruderal group with Appalachian high-elevation pastures, as it represents vegetation that arises spontaneously from clearing of montane forests in the Central Appalachians, but is physiognomically similar to natural grassy balds. Similar vegetation in West Virginia is described by Allard and Leonard (1952).

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Short grasses, Danthonia spicata, or mixtures of Danthonia spicata and Danthonia compressa, typically dominate. Associates include forbs such as Solidago rugosa ssp. aspera and ferns such as Dennstaedtia punctilobula, and Pteridium aquilinum var. latiusculum.

Floristics: Short grasses, Danthonia spicata, or mixtures of Danthonia spicata and Danthonia compressa, typically dominate. Associates include Dennstaedtia punctilobula, Dichanthelium spp., Fragaria virginiana, Hieracium spp., Potentilla spp., Pteridium aquilinum var. latiusculum, Rumex acetosella, and Solidago rugosa ssp. aspera.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  This alliance, currently known from the Appalachian Mountains, is a dry, open grassland on acidic bedrock. It may result from clearing and pasturing of montane or boreal forests. Stands are found on gentle to moderate slopes over bedrock with shallow soil. Bedrock outcrops are common. The combination of sloping sites and thin soil lead to poor water retention and droughty conditions.
Geographic Range: Vegetation of this alliance is known in Virginia from the Laurel Fork area of Highland County (Allegheny and Middle Mountains; Warm Springs Ranger District) and Wilburn Ridge area of Grayson County (Mount Rogers National Recreation Area). Similar vegetation has been described for West Virginia.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  VA, WV


Confidence Level: Low

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNA

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.90 Orchardgrass - Canada Goldenrod - Multiflora Rose Eastern North American Ruderal Grassland & Shrubland M123 2.B.2.Nc.90
Group 2.B.2.Nc.90.a Tall goldenrod - Kentucky Bluegrass - Stiff Dogwood Ruderal Meadow & Shrubland Group G059 2.B.2.Nc.90.a
Alliance A3906 Poverty Oatgrass - Flattened Oatgrass - Wrinkleleaf Goldenrod Ruderal Montane Grassland Alliance A3906 2.B.2.Nc.90.a
Association CEGL004760 Poverty Oatgrass - Wrinkleleaf Goldenrod Ruderal Grassland CEGL004760 2.B.2.Nc.90.a
Concept Lineage: This is based on CEGL004760 in the old Danthonia spicata Herbaceous Alliance (A.1281).

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: Past work of H.A. Allard, D. Faber-Langendoen, G.P. Fleming, J. B. Kearsley, E.C. Leonard, P.C. Swain, and A.S. Weakley is gratefully acknowledged.

Version Date: 09-26-14
  • Allard, H. A., and E. C. Leonard. 1952. The Canaan and the Stony River valleys of West Virginia, their former magnificent spruce forests, their vegetation and floristics today. Castanea 17:1-60.
  • 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.
  • Fleming, G. P., and W. H. Moorhead, III. 1996. Ecological land units of the Laurel Fork Area, Highland County, Virginia. Natural Heritage Technical Report 96-08. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond. 114 pp. plus appendices.