Name:
Platanus occidentalis - Liriodendron tulipifera - Betula (alleghaniensis, lenta) / Alnus serrulata - Leucothoe fontanesiana Forest
Reference:
Southeastern Ecology Working Gro...
Description:
This association covers alluvial forests of Southern Blue Ridge and nearby portions of the inner Piedmont. This type is associated with narrow, rocky floodplains and islands in medium-sized rivers, typically at elevations below 3000 feet. It is more frequent below 2000 feet. Canopy composition of stands is variable but typical dominants are Platanus occidentalis, Liriodendron tulipifera, Fraxinus americana, Betula alleghaniensis, and Betula lenta. Platanus is characteristic, but not necessarily dominant in stands of this association. Other canopy/subcanopy trees can include Carpinus caroliniana, Betula nigra, Acer rubrum, Pinus virginiana, Pinus strobus, and Tsuga canadensis. In contrast to montane alluvial forests on the margins of the Southern Blue Ridge or on larger rivers, Liquidambar styraciflua is rare to absent in this type. The shrub stratum can be dense, often with local dominance by Leucothoe fontanesiana or Rhododendron maximum. Other characteristic shrubs include Alnus serrulata, Xanthorhiza simplicissima, Corylus americana, Cornus amomum, Hamamelis virginiana, Euonymus americana, and Hydrangea arborescens. Vines can be prominent including Aristolochia macrophylla, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Smilax glauca, Smilax rotundifolia, and Vitis aestivalis. Herbaceous species composition varies from site to site, and herbaceous strata can be quite patchy on the rocky substrate. Characteristic species known from these forests include Amphicarpaea bracteata, Actaea racemosa (= Cimicifuga racemosa), Polystichum acrostichoides, Eurybia divaricata (= Aster divaricatus), Anemone quinquefolia, Athyrium filix-femina, Claytonia virginica, Erythronium americanum, Medeola virginiana, Packera aurea, Stellaria pubera, Tiarella cordifolia, and Viola blanda. Carex species may be common (e.g., Carex appalachica, Carex austrocaroliniana, Carex blanda, Carex digitalis, Carex plantaginea, Carex swanii, Carex torta). Examples are known from the Nantahala Gorge, Slickrock Creek, the South Toe River, and the Black and Craggy Mountains.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.23520.PLATANUSOCCIDEN
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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