Name:
Quercus virginiana - (Sabal palmetto) Forest Alliance
Reference:
Southeastern Ecology Working Gro...
Description:
This alliance includes communities of barrier islands, maritime hammocks, and some more inland coastal hammocks and other fire-protected situations, which are dominated and characterized by Quercus virginiana, and often containing Sabal palmetto and Juniperus virginiana var. silicicola within their ranges. Habitats for associations in this alliance range from xeric and subxeric to moist. Vegetation of this alliance most typically lies just landward of maritime shrub zones; it ranges from temperate to subtropical and often has a component of deciduous broad-leaved trees as well, particularly in the north. Some examples are affected by varying intensities of salt spray; these situations display more-or-less wind- and salt spray-sculpted vegetation. Other upland examples are not affected by salt spray and correspondingly differ in composition and stature. Composition varies along a latitudinal gradient. Examples occur on sand flats, lower slopes, and on stabilized dunes that are protected from saltwater flooding but which experience light to moderate salt spray. Some more protected examples have relatively closed and diverse canopies and well-developed shrub strata; vines are often conspicuous and abundant, but the herbaceous stratum is typically sparse and low in diversity. This community occurs over moist, sandy soils, on low areas of the mainland coast, and stands are protected from the most extreme maritime influences (i.e., salt spray) but are susceptible to high winds and flooding during hurricanes. Extending south from the vicinity of Cape Fear, North Carolina, the canopy is dominated by Quercus virginiana and Pinus taeda with some Sabal palmetto. Farther south, Pinus elliottii var. elliottii replaces Pinus taeda, and Sabal palmetto becomes more prominent. In mid-Florida, tropical species begin to dominate the understory while temperate species retain canopy dominance. South of Martin County, Florida, tropical species such as Bursera simaruba, Sideroxylon foetidissimum, and Ficus aurea begin to dominate the forest canopy. The more tropically influenced examples may contain shrubs such as Eugenia axillaris, Myrsine floridana, and Coccoloba uvifera on the west coast of Florida, and Myrcianthes fragrans, Ardisia escallonoides, and Psychotria nervosa on the east coast. The alliance also includes tropical/temperate maritime hammocks of the east coast of Florida, in mid-peninsula, characteristically with oak canopy and tropical subcanopy; as well as temperate maritime hammocks of the northeast and Panhandle coasts of Florida. Vegetation of this alliance may be found on xeric to mesic sites, often occurring as linear strands behind frontal dunes. The seaward edge is generally found on the leeward side of dune complexes which provide shelter from excessive salt spray and overwash; this vegetation is also found on top of relict dune ridges and other areas with xeric to mesic hydrology. While relatively protected, the vegetation frequently exhibits effects of wind-pruning and salt spray. The alliance also includes some dry hammocks, found from Florida to North Carolina; in these examples, Quercus virginiana is dominant, and sometimes Juniperus virginiana var. silicicola is present in the canopy. Frequently small Cladina - Cladonia-dominated openings are present. On small hammocks in salt marshes, Juniperus virginiana var. silicicola, Baccharis halimifolia, and Morella cerifera are characteristic. Another type of xeric hammock contains Serenoa repens under a Quercus virginiana canopy. On Amelia Island, Florida, Magnolia grandiflora is characteristically in the understory, increasing after cutting or with a greater shell content in the soil. Some Mississippi vegetation included here is found on coastal sand ridges along inlets of marsh channels.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.20675.QUERCUSVIRGINIA
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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