Name:
Morella cerifera Saturated Shrubland Alliance
Reference:
Southeastern Ecology Working Gro...
Description:
This alliance includes wetland dune swales and other wetland shrubland situations dominated by Morella cerifera (= Myrica cerifera), including sheltered backdunes, wetland flats, and interdune swales. Associated shrubs may include Baccharis halimifolia, Acer rubrum, Vaccinium formosum, Rosa palustris, Ilex opaca var. opaca, Juniperus virginiana var. silicicola, and Morella pensylvanica (= Myrica pensylvanica). This shrubland vegetation can form vast thickets in some cases; there may be inclusions of small wetland graminoid-dominated areas. Vines may be frequent and can include Toxicodendron radicans ssp. radicans, Smilax spp., Vitis spp., and Parthenocissus quinquefolia. Associated herbaceous species can include Boehmeria cylindrica, Calystegia sepium, Carex albolutescens, Carex hormathodes, Chasmanthium laxum, Festuca rubra, Galium obtusum, Hydrocotyle spp., Juncus dichotomus, Juncus scirpoides, Leersia virginica, Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis, Panicum spp., Polygonum pensylvanicum, and Woodwardia areolata (in the northern part of the range); and Andropogon glomeratus var. pumilus, Fimbristylis castanea, Hydrocotyle bonariensis, Juncus roemerianus, Muhlenbergia filipes, as well as Spartina patens and Sabatia stellaris (in southern examples). This is maritime shrub vegetation which generally exists in a tension zone between more exposed or active grassland vegetation and more protected and stable maritime forests. Older stands of maritime shrub vegetation ultimately become dominated by stunted and salt-pruned Quercus virginiana. See also the III.A.2.N.c Quercus virginiana - Ilex vomitoria - (Morella cerifera) Shrubland Alliance (A.785), which generally occurs in drier and more exposed sites. Soils are deep sands of stabilized dunes, with limited if any horizon development. An overlying layer of 'muck' is reported in northern examples.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.21633.MORELLACERIFERA
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
|
