nrg-native-species-planting-guide-091714

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B. Herbaceous Communities


Herbaceous communities are plant communities characterized by a tree canopy cover of less
than 25%. Herbaceous plants make up the majority of the cover.

SERPENTINE BARRENS


The plant communities of the serpentine barrens are a state and globally ranked habitat


because of the geographically restricted serpentine bedrock they are found on. Serpentine


bedrock is light green bedrock that is thought to have been forced from the earth's core 450


million years ago during plate shifting activity. The green color is due to the high concentration


of magnesium in the rock (NYNHP 2011). Staten Island is the only borough where you can find


remnants of this unique habitat. The open grass-savanna communities thrive in the nutrient


poor soils but most sites have been obliterated by forest succession in the absence of wildfire


and later, by conversion to urban uses (Kiviat and Johnson 2013).


Examples Include: Seaview Meadow (SI).


Recommended Plants:


Graminoids


Aristida oligantha Prarie threeawn


Aristida purpurascens Arrowfeather threeawn


Danthonia spicata Poverty oatgrass


Dichanthelium clandestinum Deertongue


Eragrostis spectabilis Purple lovegrass


Juncuis tenuis Path rush


Panicum virgatum Switchgrass


Schizachyrium scoparium Little bluestem


Sorghastrum nutans Indiangrass


Forbs


Eupatorium serotinum Late eupatorium


Lespedeza capitata Round-headed bush-clover


Potentilla simplex Common cinquefoil


Pycnanthemum tenuifolium Narrow-leaved mountain mint


Solidago nemoralis Gray goldenrod


Symphyotrichum ericoides White heath aster


Symphyotrichum laeve Smooth blue aster


Symphyotrichum pilosum Hairy white old field aster


Vines


Parthenocissus quinquefolia Virginia creeper


Shrubs


Rhus aromatica Fragrant sumac

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