Appalachian Cumberland Plateau Formations

To the west of the folded Appalachians are a series of uplifted plateaus composed of Palaeozoic sediments that has developed into another endemic hotspot. Some of the endemic species include Arenaria cumberlandensis (Caryophyllaceae), Coreopsis pulchra (Asteraceae), Eupatorium luciae-brauniae (Asteraceae), Silene rotundifolia (Caryophyllaceae) Silphium brachiatum, S. mohrii (Asteraceae) and Solidago albopilosa (Asteraceae). 

Appalachian Piedmont Granite Flatrocks Formations

Apart from Stone Mountain - a gigantic boulder some 235 m high - most of the boulders are relatively flat as their name implies. Most are also very exposed with only thin patches of soil, but seasonal pools may develop. The main species including Arenaria brevifolia, Lotus helleri and Talinum teretifolium are all typical of dry habitats. Like the Shale Barrens this unusual habitat has its own assemblage of endemic plant including two monotypic genera (Diamorpha and Amphianthus) and about twelve endemic or near endemic species such as Aster avitus (Asteraceae), Isoetes melanospra, Isoetes tegetiformans (Isoetaceae), Hypericum splendens (Hypericaceae) Juncus georgianus (Juncaceae), Portulaca smallii (Portulacaceae) Quercus georgianai (Fagaceae), Rhynchospora saxicola (Cyperaceae), Sedum pusillum (Crassulaceae) and Viguiera porteri (Asteraceae).

References

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Estill, J. C. & Cruzan, M. B. 2001. Phytogeography of rare plant species endemic to the southeastern United States. Castanea, 66: 3-23.

Greller, A. M. 1989. Deciduous Forest.  In: North American Terrestrial Vegetation. Eds. M. G. Barbour & W. D. Billings. Cambridge University Press.

Keener, C. S. 1983. Distribution and biohistory of the endemic flora of the Mid-Appalachian Shale Barrens. The Botanical Review, 49: 65-115.

Pittillo, J. D. & Smathers, G. A. 1979. Phytogeography of the Balsam Mountains and Pisgah Ridge, Southern Appalachian Mountains. In: Contributions to the knowledge of flora and vegetation in the Carolinas. Eds. H. Leith and E. Landolt. VGI Zurich.

Qian, H. 1999. Floristic analysis of vascular plant genera of North America north of Mexico: characterization and phytogeography. Journal of Biogeography, 26: 1307-1321.

Ricketts, T. h. et al. 1999. Terrestrial Ecosystems of North America - a conservation assessment. World Wildlife Fund, USA and Canada. Island Press, Washington.