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Sand barrens Sand Barrens are herbaceous upland communities that develop on unstable or semi-stabilized alluvial sands along major rivers such the Mississippi and Wisconsin. They are partly or perhaps wholly anthropogenic in origin, occurring on sites historically disturbed by plowing or very heavy grazing. Unvegetated “blow-outs” are characteristic features. Barrens, Dry Prairie and Sand Prairie species such as false-heather (Hudsonia tomentosa), bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, sedges (Cyperus filiculmis and C. schweinitzii), sand cress (Arabis lyrata), three-awn grasses Aristida spp.), rock spikemoss (Selaginella rupestris), and the earthstar fungi (Geaster spp.) are present in this community. Many exotics are present, and rare disturbance dependent species such as fameflower (Talinum rugospermum) occur in some stands.
Offsite resources:
Virginia Kline's collection of the Vegetation of Wisconsin Michigan Natural Features Inventory Community descriptions
