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A.33 | EcoArt 2002
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Name: A.33
Reference: EcoArt 2002
Description: This alliance consists of tropical hardwood hammocks of southern Florida, which are found on sites with elevated limestone at or near the surface. Classic examples occur inland, but closely related maritime examples fringe both the Gulf and Atlantic coastlines where sands contain substantial shell fragments. The vegetation consists of closed, broad-leaved forests with large numbers of evergreen and semi-evergreen tree species, many with tropical affinities reaching their northern range limits. Periodic freezes limit northward expansion, and coastal examples extend much farther north than inland ones. Canopy height ranges from 6-17 m, and is usually essentially unistratal. The canopy composition is usually very diverse at a given location but varies greatly from association to association and from site to site. ~Bursera simaruba$ and ~Coccoloba diversifolia$ are possibly the most likely species to be encountered in hammocks throughout the region, along with the small tree ~Eugenia axillaris$. However, a large number of other tropical species may also be encountered depending upon location. ~Lysiloma latisiliquum, Swietenia mahagoni, Simarouba glauca$, and ~Sideroxylon foetidissimum$ are some of the species with the greatest size potential (and therefore usually dominating the basal area of more mature hammocks). ~Quercus laurifolia$ and ~Quercus virginiana$ are among the relatively few species with temperate affinities which may be present. These hammocks are notably deficient in terrestrial herbaceous species, and the forest floor is consequently sparsely vegetated. However, herbaceous epiphytes are abundant and conspicuous, including ferns, bromeliads, and orchids. 
Accession Code: VB.CC.1954.A33
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 26-Nov-1997 to: 17-Mar-2005
     
  • status: accepted
  • Community's Parent: I.A.3.N.a
  • This Community's Level: Alliance
  • This Community's Children: [none]
Names:   Scientific: BURSERA SIMARUBA - COCCOLOBA DIVERSIFOLIA - NECTANDRA CORIACEA - EUGENIA AXILLARIS FOREST ALLIANCE
  Code: A.33
  Common: Gumbo Limbo - Pigeon-plum - Lancewood - White Stopper Forest Alliance
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(undetermined) Bursera simaruba - Coccoloba diversifolia - Nectandra coriacea - Eugenia axillaris Forest Alliance