Class: Myrica pennsylvanica / Schizachyrium scoparium ssp. littorale - Danthonia spicata Shrub Herbaceous Vegetation (Nothern Sandplain Grassland) TNC Alliance Code: V.A.7.N.g.1.  6067 CMI Code: 6067 Type Locator: Restricted to Fire Island

TNC Alliance Description: This sandplain grassland occurs on flat areas of loamy sand over sand and gravel outwash deposits on the William Floyd Estate, and on stabilized protected areas of the dune system on Fire Island. This coastal sandplain grassland is a patchy mosaic dominated by Schizachyrium scoparium with patches of Aster spectabilis, Euthamia tenuifolia and some Panicum virgatum and Sorgastrum nutans.  Poa pratensis is common within the community, which occurs adjacent to a mowed lawn.  There is a scattered short shrub layer dominated by Myrica pensylvanica with Rubus flagellaris present.
 

Photo Interpretation: This type was rare and apparently limited to the wider parts of the Otis Pike Wilderness Area. The codominance of Myrica pensylvanica in this type makes it difficult, if not impossible, to separate from the Northern Dune Shrubland type.
   

Similar Alliances: Myrica pennsylvanica - Rosa rugosa Shrubland (Northern Dune Shrubland): Myrica pensylvanica present in both alliances.