Name:
Magnolia virginiana - Persea palustris Saturated Forest Alliance
Reference:
Southeastern Ecology Working Gro...
Description:
These are saturated forests of the Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains which have canopies typically dominated by Magnolia virginiana and/or Persea palustris. Both species are generally present; one or the other may dominate. In some stands and associations now assigned here, dominance of these species may be shared with Gordonia lasianthus, or this species may dominate. This alliance was originally described as lacking substantial dominance by Gordonia lasianthus, this species being present only in small amounts, but the former Gordonia lasianthus Saturated Forest Alliance has been merged in here. In addition to these species, Acer rubrum, Pinus serotina, and Pinus elliottii var. elliottii may also occur.This alliance includes seepage-fed saturated forests found at the base of steepheads, with cool microclimates; also stream-associated flats and isolated peaty wetlands; as well as peaty soils only slightly above sea level, in swales and seepage-fed areas adjacent to sand dunes. Associated shrubs may include Cyrilla racemiflora, Illicium floridanum, Ilex coriacea, Ilex glabra, Viburnum nudum var. nudum, Clethra alnifolia, Itea virginica, Pinckneya bracteata, and Lyonia lucida. In addition, Cephalanthus occidentalis may occur in wetter examples. Vines (Smilax laurifolia, Smilax glauca, Vitis rotundifolia) may also occur. Herbs include Rhynchospora spp., Peltandra sagittifolia, Peltandra virginica, Sarracenia purpurea, Drosera intermedia, Pinguicula pumila, Viola X primulifolia, Athyrium filix-femina ssp. asplenioides, Osmunda cinnamomea, Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis, Woodwardia areolata, and Carex atlantica ssp. capillacea. Sphagnum is common to scattered in examples of this alliance. Some examples occur in association with Cliftonia monophylla forest, in slightly drier (though still saturated) situations. Canopy coverage can vary from closed to somewhat open, depending on disturbance; some maritime associations are subject to flooding, hurricanes, or storms which can create canopy openings. A maritime forest dominated by Persea palustris is included here; in this example Morella cerifera (= Myrica cerifera) is common in the shrub layer. The herb layer has Osmunda cinnamomea, Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis, Woodwardia virginica, and Woodwardia areolata. This alliance is known from the Atlantic Coastal Plain from North Carolina south to Florida, and in the Florida Gulf Coastal Plain. Occurrences in subtropical Florida have subtropical components, such as Chrysobalanus icaco, Ficus aurea, Annona glabra, Sambucus canadensis (= Sambucus simpsonii), Myrsine floridana, Psychotria tenuifolia, Dicliptera sexangularis, Cladium mariscus ssp. jamaicense, Acrostichum danaeifolium, Blechnum serrulatum, Nephrolepis exaltata, Thelypteris kunthii, Rivina humilis, Habenaria odontopetala, and Melothria pendula.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.18101.MAGNOLIAVIRGINI
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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