Goldston
Plant Layer
Heath bluff
In positions where steep, nutrient poor slopes are facing north and are thus relatively cool and moist, the uncommon Heath Bluff community can occur. This community is distinguished by a variable, usually open, tree canopy and a closed, often dense, shrub layer. Catawba rhododendron, mostly found only in the higher parts of the mountains, occurs at several sites around Chapel Hill and Durham.
The shrub layer is dominated by mountain laurel or Catawba rhododendron. The species diversity is generally very low.
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Dry oak-hickory forest
Monadnock forest
On sites where the soil is rocky and nutrient poor, the Monadnock Forest occurs. This rather rare natural community is found in several upland sites in Orange County, typically on isolated erosional remnant hills, but occasionally occurs on bluffs. Not all isolated hills support this community type. Abundance of rock and soil chemistry may be factors in determining occurrence. Extreme soil acidity, accompanied by aluminum toxicity, has been suggested as important.
Dominated by chestnut oak, species diversity is usually low, with an understory strongly dominated by sourwood, and red maple and having a patchy shrub and sparse herb layer.
Plant List
Detailed Guidesheet
Local Sites