Central Appalachian Mafic / Calcareous Barren (Low-Elevation Type) – CEGL006037 (in part)

A somewhat unusual calcareous barren, occurring on a nearly vertical cliff face subtending the James River in Buckingham County. The bedrock here is part of the Evington Formation, which contains beds of highly calcareous marble.  Clump of big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) is in foreground of photo.  James River State Park.