Southern Appalachian Grassy Bald – CEGL004242

The 200-acre herbaceous bald near the summit of Whitetop Mountain on the Southern Blue Ridge (Grayson, Smyth, and Washington counties) is Virginia's only occurrence of this endemic, Southern Appalachian community type.  Mountain oatgrass (Danthonia compressa), Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica), and three-toothed cinquefoil (Sibbaldiopsis tridentata) form most of the vegetation in the foreground.  Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, George Washington & Jefferson National Forests.