The Vegetative Community

1. The Vegetative Community

2. Components • Grasses-Jointed stems with leaves in two rows. Leaves are parallel veined. Stems are hollow between the joints. • Grass-likes-Look like grasses but with solid stems. Stems are often triangular. Sedges and rushes are in this category. • Forbs- Broad-leaved plants with above ground growth that dies back each year. Most forbs have net veins but a few are parallel. Broadleaf weeds and wildflowers are forbs. • Shrubs-Persistent woody stems that remain alive from one year to the next.

3. Shrub Grass Grass-Like Forb

4. Origin • Native- Plants of the original vegetation of North America. • Introduced- Plants brought from outside North America. Growth • Cool Season- Majority of growth is during cool temperatures of the spring and fall months. • Warm Season- Mostgrowth is during late spring and summer.

5. Life Span • Annual- Only live one season • Biennial-Live two years but only flower during the second growing season. • Perennial- Live multiple years.

6. Growth Form • Rhizomatous- Spread by underground stems called rhizomes. • Stoloniferous- Spread by aboveground stems called stolons. • Bunch- Spread neither by stolons or rhizomes. They grow in dense clumps.

7. Stoloniferous Rhizomatous Bunch

8. Grasses • Grasses • Complex root system that holds soil in place and preserves soil moisture • High source of nutrition for grazing animals • Light grazing benefits grass • “Graze half, leave half” • If all of the leaves are consumed, recovery of grasses takes longer

9. Grasses • Increaser- Varieties of grasses that thrive under heavier grazing. • Adaptations that allow them to access resources more efficiently • Often unpalatable and therefore are avoided by herbivores • Decreaser- Varieties of grasses that are easily damaged with even light grazing. • Invader- Plats that move into an area after it has been badly overgrazed. • Occasionally will move into areas that are badly undergrazed