High-Elevation Cliffs and Outcrops of the Southern Appalachians: Vascular Plants and Biogeography
Wiser SK. 1994. High-Elevation Cliffs and Outcrops of the Southern Appalachians: Vascular Plants and Biogeography. Castanea. 59(2):85-116
Vascular plants of high-elevation cliffs and rock outcrops were sampled on 42 peaks in the Southern Appalachians. Species found were predominantly native, summer-flowering, herbaceous perennials. Species endemic to the Southern and Central Appalachians comprise over 25% of the total flora; species restricted to eastern North America include nearly 50% of the flora. The diversity of biogeographic affinities shows that the northern alpine element (those species found above treeline in the Northern Appalachians) is only a small subset of the total flora. At least 17% of species were likely components of the Pleistocene alpine flora. An annotated checklist of the 288 species is provided.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Wiser, Susan
- Units
- BLRI , GRSM
- Keywords
- affinities, APHN, Appalachian Highlands Network, Biogeography, BLRI, Blue Ridge Parkway, Checklist, endemicy, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, GRSM, GRSM-01986, high elevation cliffs, Map, Plant Studies, Pleistocene alpine flora, Rare Species, SER, Southeast Region, Southern Appalachians, Vascular Plants