Name:
Quercus alba - Quercus (rubra, prinus) / Rhododendron calendulaceum - Kalmia latifolia - (Gaylussacia ursina) Forest
Reference:
Southeastern Ecology Working Gro...
Description:
These forests occur in a wide elevation range (2000-4500 feet) in the Southern Blue Ridge and in the Blue Ridge/Piedmont transition, on protected sites, typically lower slopes, bottoms, and coves. Stands of this deciduous forest association are dominated or codominated by Quercus alba, occurring with other Quercus species (Quercus rubra, Quercus prinus, Quercus coccinea). Associated species are characteristically montane, and typical of acidic forests. This association lacks indicators of circumneutral soils and also lacks low elevation dry sites species such as Pinus echinata, Quercus falcata, Quercus stellata, and Quercus marilandica. Species other than oaks that can be important in the canopy include Carya alba, Carya glabra, Liriodendron tulipifera, Acer rubrum, and Magnolia fraseri. Common species in the subcanopy/sapling strata include Cornus florida, Acer rubrum, Carya spp., Liriodendron tulipifera, Magnolia fraseri, Nyssa sylvatica, Oxydendrum arboreum, Pinus strobus, and Halesia tetraptera. Shrub cover is sparse to very dense, and is often dominated by deciduous heaths. Kalmia latifolia and Gaylussacia ursina are usually present, but other shrub species can include Euonymus americana, Rhododendron calendulaceum, Vaccinium stamineum, Vaccinium pallidum, Viburnum acerifolium, Calycanthus floridus, Pyrularia pubera, Ilex montana, Halesia tetraptera, and Hamamelis virginiana. Smilax glauca and Vitis rotundifolia are common vines. The herbaceous stratum is sparse to moderate in coverage, but often rich in species, approaching the diversity but not the coverage of rich cove forests. Associated herbaceous species vary with elevation. Often there is a dominant fern stratum, with Thelypteris noveboracensis and Polystichum acrostichoides most typically dominant.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.18258.QUERCUSALBAQUER
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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