Name:
Acer saccharinum - (Populus deltoides) / Matteuccia struthiopteris Forest
Reference:
Eastern Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
These are silver maple floodplain forests along major rivers in the temperate northeastern United States. They occur on the deep, alluvial, silty to somewhat coarse soils of point bars, levees, and adjacent terraces of medium to large, high-energy and moderate-gradient rivers with heavy erosion and sedimentation, and are subjected to spring flooding. The more-or-less closed canopy is high and arching, and the dominant below-canopy feature is the lush and extensive herb layer, with ferns especially prominent. Shrubs are scattered and the overall shrub cover is low. Bryoids are very minor. The canopy is strongly dominated by Acer saccharinum. Other trees may be locally common, or scattered, including Populus deltoides, Quercus rubra, Acer negundo, Ulmus rubra, Juglans nigra, Fraxinus americana, and Fraxinus pennsylvanica. Populus deltoides tends to be characteristic of the siltier soils and levees within these forests. Typical shrubs include Lindera benzoin, Cornus amomum, Sambucus canadensis, and potentially invasive non-native Lonicera spp., Rosa multiflora, or Ligustrum vulgare. Vines such as Vitis riparia are common at some sites. The dominant herbs are Matteuccia struthiopteris and Laportea canadensis. Associated herbs include Elymus riparius, Elymus virginicus, Amphicarpaea bracteata, Ageratina altissima (= Eupatorium rugosum), Arisaema triphyllum, Circaea lutetiana, Thalictrum pubescens, Onoclea sensibilis, and Polygonum virginianum (= Tovara virginiana). Particularly in the southern portions of this type's range, non-native herbs such as Alliaria petiolata, Allium vineale, Ranunculus ficaria, and Microstegium vimineum may essentially replace the native herbs. This association is distinguished from the related Acer saccharinum / Onoclea sensibilis - Boehmeria cylindrica Forest (CEGL006176) by its greater abundance of Matteuccia struthiopteris relative to Onoclea sensibilis and its better-drained soils. Flood duration is usually shorter in the ostrich fern type. It is distinguished from floodplain forests to the south by the absence (or only very rare presence) of Platanus occidentalis and Celtis occidentalis.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.19228.ACERSACCHARINUM
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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