High Elevation Granitic Dome
Granitic Domes are distinguished from other rock outcrop communities by a near absence of crevices and deep soil pockets, so that the vegetation is strongly dominated by shallow mats. This community type occurs at high elevations, generally over 3000 feet. Vegetation on granitic domes consists primarily of lichens on bare rock or of shallow mats generally dominated by twisted-hair spikemoss (Selaginella tortipila). The smooth rock surfaces of granitic domes give them different dynamics from other rock outcrop communities. Soil mats accumulate slowly, gradually becoming deep enough to support patches of shrubs and even trees. But those on steeper slopes eventually slough off, renewing the bare rock face. With roots confined to the soil mat, the fall of a tree in a storm or after its death in a drought, often pulls up the soil mat and destroys it.
View from Little Green Mountain to Blackrock Mountain
Bare rock and vegetation mats on Little Green Mountain
Vegetation mats on Little Green Mountain
Table Mountain Pine on Little Green Mountain
Click the image for an interactive map
Static Species List
High Elevation Granitic Domes
Families: 88
Genera: 169
Species: 261 (species rank)
Total Taxa: 264 (including subsp. and var.)
Rhus copallinum var. latifolia
Eupatorium sessilifolium var. vaseyi
Solidago curtisii var. curtisii
Arabidopsis lyrata subsp. lyrata
Cardamine parviflora var. arenicola
Opuntia humifusa var. humifusa
Cerastium fontanum subsp. vulgare
Nyssa sylvatica var. sylvatica
Juniperus communis var. depressa
Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana
Pteridium aquilinum var. latiusculum
Pteridium aquilinum var. pseudocaudatum
Vaccinium stamineum var. stamineum
Dichanthelium acuminatum var. fasciculatum
Amelanchier arborea var. austromontana