Name:
Liquidambar styraciflua - Liriodendron tulipifera - (Platanus occidentalis) / Carpinus caroliniana - Halesia tetraptera / Amphicarpaea bracteata Forest
Reference:
Southeastern Ecology Working Gro...
Description:
This is a low-elevation montane or submontane alluvial forest which is found on large alluvial flats and high terraces along large rivers (e.g., Little Pigeon River) or on small, disturbed flats along medium-sized perennial streams. It is found at lower elevations in the southern fringes of the Southern Blue Ridge Province, or in the adjacent Piedmont and Southern Ridge and Valley. It often occurs on sites that were formerly cleared for farming or settlement. Soils are typically deep, loamy silts but can have large rocks and cobbles. In the Great Smoky Mountains, the mean elevation of samples is 1680 feet, ranging from 1480-1900 feet. It would be possibly expected at lower elevations as well, especially in the adjacent ecoregions. This forest has an open to closed canopy dominated by Liquidambar styraciflua and Liriodendron tulipifera, often with Platanus occidentalis. It is distinguished from other kinds of Montane Alluvial Forests by the dominance or relatively higher importance of Liquidambar styraciflua in its stands, and by its habitat on larger, lower-elevation, riverine situations. Platanus is characteristic, but not necessarily dominant in stands of this association. In habitats with a more calcareous influence in the substrate, Juglans nigra may have a higher relative importance or even be codominant. The subcanopy is absent to well-developed. Typical dominants are Carpinus caroliniana, Cornus florida, and Acer rubrum. The shrub stratum is absent to moderately dense. Rhododendron maximum and Tsuga canadensis are the most common shrubs, although other species can be present. Herbaceous cover is often absent or sparse, with ground cover dominated by litter and duff. On smaller streams, near open fields or where animal grazing is evident, herbaceous cover can approach 100% cover. Species often present with high coverage include Amphicarpaea bracteata, Ageratina altissima var. altissima, Dichanthelium boscii, Thelypteris noveboracensis, and Toxicodendron radicans ssp. radicans. Stands found on small, disturbed flats along medium-sized perennial streams may contain patches of Xanthorhiza simplicissima. The exotic grass Microstegium vimineum may have high cover in some stands.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.19288.LIQUIDAMBARSTYR
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
|
