Vascular Flora and Plant Habitats of an Abandoned Limestone Quarry at Center Hill Dam, DeKalb County, Tennessee

Abstract

Abstract The vascular flora was studied and plant habitats described within an abandoned limestone quarry contiguous to Center Hill Dam in DeKalb County, central Tennessee, between 1986–2000. From seven diverse quarry habitats, 282 species in 203 genera and 81 families were documented. One hundred sixty-two species (57.4%) are DeKalb County distribution records. Sixty-four (22.7%) are exotic taxa including 22 Tennessee “severe threat” and “significant threat” invasive exotic pests. The known vascular flora includes five Pteridophytes, three Gymnosperms, and 273 Angiosperms (69 Monocots, 205 Dicots). Two state-listed species were discovered: Elymus svensonii and Liparis loeselii. Carex molesta is reported here as a new addition to the Tennessee flora.