Red-cedar Limestone Glade (Northeastern)

Scattered, stunted eastern red-cedar grow in and around these grassy openings, which occur on rocky slopes or summits underlain by limestone or other calcium-rich rock. This natural community is rare throughout its range. (There is more than one type of Red-cedar Limestone Glade; this one is found in southern New England and portions of the northern Piedmont.) 

The Red-cedar Limestone Glade occurs on rocky slopes and summits in southern New England and portions of the northern Piedmont.

The range map shows the states in which this natural community has been documented.

More About This Natural Community

The Limestone Red-cedar Glade consists of open grassy areas, with scattered and stunted eastern red-cedar trees. Other trees may include hop-hornbeam, common hackberry, white ash, eastern redbud, pignut hickory, and chinquapin oak. The most common grasses are sideoats grama and little bluestem. Other low plants to look for are bristleleaf sedge, switchgrass, whorled milkweed, and roundleaf ragwort.

This natural community occurs on rocky slopes or summits underlain by limestone or dolomite, both of which are made of calcium carbonate. As these rocks weather, their calcium adds fertility to the thin soil. Many of the species in this natural community, such as sideoats grama, are calcium-loving plants.

For a more in-depth look at this community, click on a link under “Where to Explore It.”

Look for It in These National Parks

  • Appalachian Trail (Lower New England & Northern Appalachians)
  • Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

Conservation Status

How vulnerable is a natural community? Is it at risk of elimination? Learn about conservation status.

Global Conservation Status: 
G1G2 – Critically Imperiled to Imperiled

Classification

Official names reduce confusion by providing a common language for talking about natural communities. Why so many names?

Common Name: 
Red-cedar Limestone Glade (Northeastern)
Scientific Name Translated: 
Eastern Red-cedar / Sideoats Grama - Bristleleaf Sedge Wooded Grassland
Classification Code: 
CEGL006047