BOTANICAL AND ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS
SPECIES: Danthonia compressa | Mountain Oatgrass 



GENERAL BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS : 
Mountain oatgrass is a native, perennial bunchgrass.  The culms are
slender, compressed, sometimes decumbent, and 12 to 32 inches (30-80 cm)
tall.  The leaves are mostly at or near the base and up to 8 to 10
inches (20-25 cm) long.  The inflorescence is a panicle; slender
branches bear two or three spikelets.  The awn is bent and 0.2 to 0.3
inches (0.6-0.8 cm) long [4,10,12,20].


RAUNKIAER LIFE FORM : 
   hemicryptophyte


REGENERATION PROCESSES : 
Mountain oatgrass reproduces by seed.  Large amounts of seed are
produced annually, some of which remain dormant in the litter for at
least several years [13].  Mountain oatgrass also sprouts from
perennating buds at the base of the culms.

In two populations in North Carolina, mountain oatgrass produced an
average of 50 percent cleistogamous flowers [6].


SITE CHARACTERISTICS : 
In the southern Appalachians, mountain oatgrass is a frequent species on
grassy balds which occupy well-drained sites on ridges, broad slopes,
and dome-shaped summits between 5,000 and 6,000 feet (1,500-1,800 m) in
elevation.  Grassy balds occur on slopes of all aspects but are most
commonly found on south, southwest, and west aspects.  Mountain oatgrass
grows on dry sites but is susceptible to drought [19,26].  On wetter
areas of grassy balds, mountain oatgrass dominance gives way to sedges
(Carex spp.) [26].


SUCCESSIONAL STATUS : 
Facultative Seral Species

Mountain oatgrass grows in full sun and in open woods.  It does not
persist under closed canopies [4].  It establishes on disturbed sites
including recently logged and burned areas [14,18].

Grassy balds are persistent successional communities.  The origin of
grassy balds is not fully understood, but former forests may have died
from ice storms, blow downs, fire, or climate change.  Woody species
establishment is often delayed on these sites by dense herbaceous
cover, harsh environment, fire, and/or grazing [3,19].

Grassy balds in the Appalachian Mountains are succeeded by Rhododendron
spp. thickets, American green alder (Alnus viridis ssp. crispa)
thickets, or spruce (Picea spp.)-fir (Abies spp.) forests.  A dense
carpet of moss (Polytrichum commune) advances into the grassy bald at
the edge of the spruce-fir forest and suppresses mountain oatgrass [5].


SEASONAL DEVELOPMENT : 
Mountain oatgrass generally flowers from June to August [20].  In North
Carolina, mountain oatgrass flowers from mid-June to early July [4].

Related categories for Species: Danthonia compressa | Mountain Oatgrass