Print Report
A3935 Rhamnus cathartica - Rosa multiflora - Elaeagnus umbellata Ruderal Mesic Shrubland Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance is common in former agricultural areas in the northeastern and midwestern U.S. and temperate regions of eastern Canada. It comprises shrubby old fields dominated by exotic shrubs, such as Elaeagnus angustifolia, Lonicera japonica, Lonicera morrowii, Ligustrum vulgare, Rhamnus cathartica, and Rosa multiflora, sometimes mixed with "weedy native" shrubs such as Cornus racemosa, Rhus glabra, and Rhus typhina.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Common Buckthorn - Multiflora Rose - Autumn-olive Ruderal Mesic Shrubland Alliance
Colloquial Name: Northern & Central Ruderal Mesic Old-field Shrubland
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance is common in former agricultural areas in the northeastern and midwestern United States and temperate regions of eastern Canada. It comprises primarily shrubby old fields dominated by exotic shrubs, such as Berberis thunbergii, Elaeagnus angustifolia, Euonymus alatus, Lonicera japonica, Lonicera morrowii, Ligustrum vulgare, Rhamnus cathartica, and Rosa multiflora, as well as weedy natives, such as Cornus racemosa, Rhus glabra, Rhus typhina, and Viburnum prunifolium Less commonly, Gaylussacia baccata, Vaccinium pallidum, Vaccinium stamineum, and/or Vaccinium angustifolium may be dominant. Sapling or small trees are often present but form <10% cover; they include exotic trees such as Robinia pseudoacacia, and many weedy natives, such as Acer rubrum, Betula populifolia, Cornus florida, Fraxinus americana, Juglans nigra, Juniperus virginiana, Populus deltoides, Prunus serotina, and Prunus virginiana. The herbaceous layer is variable depending on the density of shrub cover. Common species include exotics such as Achillea millefolium, Agrostis gigantea, Alliaria petiolata, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Bromus inermis, Centaurea spp., Daucus carota, Galium mollugo, Schedonorus arundinaceus, Trifolium repens, as well as weedy natives such as Euthamia graminifolia, Festuca rubra, Monarda fistulosa, Oxalis stricta, Poa pratensis, Solidago rugosa, Solidago gigantea, and Solidago nemoralis, among many others. Vines can be absent or dominant, sometimes covering the tall and short shrubs. Common vines are exotic Celastrus orbiculatus and Lonicera japonica, and weedy natives such as Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Toxicodendron radicans, Vitis aestivalis, and Vitis labrusca.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This alliance is common in former agricultural areas in the northeastern and midwestern U.S. and temperate regions of eastern Canada. It is dominated by exotic shrubs such as Berberis thunbergii, Elaeagnus angustifolia, Euonymus alatus, Lonicera japonica, Lonicera morrowii, Ligustrum vulgare, Rhamnus cathartica, and Rosa multiflora, sometimes mixed with "weedy native" shrubs such as Cornus racemosa, Rhus glabra, and Rhus typhina. Together these shrubs have at least 25% absolute cover and >80% relative cover among all shrub species.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This is a broadly defined type intended for exotic shrubby vegetation on abandoned cropland or pasture. Other associations related to this alliance include Successional Heath Shrubland, ~Gaylussacia baccata - Vaccinium pallidum - Vaccinium corymbosum Shrubland (CEGL006622)$$, but that is placed in ~Vaccinium angustifolium - Vaccinium pallidum Sandy Heath Alliance (A3913)$$ in ~North-Central Appalachian Acidic Scrub & Grassland Group (G789)$$, which can also contain a variety of exotics.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: The vegetation of this alliance consists of thickets or patches of shrubs 1-3 m tall, often with a more-or-less continuous herb layer and scattered trees.
Floristics: Stands are primarily dominated by exotic shrubs such as Berberis thunbergii, Elaeagnus angustifolia, Euonymus alatus, Lonicera japonica, Lonicera morrowii, Ligustrum vulgare, Rhamnus cathartica, and Rosa multiflora, as well as weedy natives such as Cornus racemosa, Rhus glabra, Rhus typhina, and Viburnum prunifolium. Less commonly, Gaylussacia baccata, Vaccinium pallidum, Vaccinium stamineum, and/or Vaccinium angustifolium may be dominant. Sapling or small weedy native trees are often present but form <10% cover; they include exotic trees such as Robinia pseudoacacia, and many weedy natives such as Acer rubrum, Betula populifolia, Cornus florida, Fraxinus americana, Juglans nigra, Juniperus virginiana, Prunus serotina, and Prunus virginiana. The herbaceous layer is variable depending on the density of shrub cover. Common exotic species include Achillea millefolium, Agrostis gigantea, Alliaria petiolata, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Bromus inermis, Centaurea spp., Daucus carota, Galium mollugo, Schedonorus arundinaceus, Trifolium repens, as well as weedy natives such as Euthamia graminifolia, Festuca rubra, Monarda fistulosa, Oxalis stricta, Poa pratensis, Solidago rugosa, Solidago gigantea, and Solidago nemoralis, among many others. Vines can be absent or dominant, sometimes covering the tall and short shrubs. Common vines are exotic Celastrus orbiculatus and Lonicera japonica, and weedy natives such as Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Toxicodendron radicans, Vitis aestivalis, and Vitis labrusca.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Stands are typically found on abandoned agricultural sites or other sites disturbed by human activity, such as roadsides and abandoned quarries.
Geographic Range: This alliance is typically found in the northeastern and midwestern U.S. and temperate regions of eastern Canada.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: CT, DE, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MB, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NS, NY, OH, ON, PA, QC, RI, SD, SK, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899986
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNA
Greasons: No Data Available
Concept Lineage: Type equates to an association (CEGL006451) [with edits] Import the record of CEGL006451 as equivalent to this alliance concept.
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.