Name:
Acer saccharinum / Onoclea sensibilis - Boehmeria cylindrica Forest
Reference:
Eastern Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
These silver maple floodplain forests of the northeastern United States are typical of riverbottoms, lakeplains, and the inner floodplain of medium to large rivers, mostly at less than 800 feet elevation. They are most typical of third- and fourth-order rivers. They are subjected to spring flooding of high frequency and duration; their soils are poorly drained and deep. They are generally associated with calcareous or sedimentary bedrock and with fine-grained surficial deposits, but may occur in coarser soils or tills. The canopy ranges from closed to somewhat open, and is high and arching. Shrubs are few, and the herb layer is very well-developed. Bryoids are minor. The overall effect is of tall, well-spaced trees over a lush carpet of herbs. The canopy is strongly dominated by Acer saccharinum. Associated trees include Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Ulmus americana, and occasionally Quercus bicolor or Quercus macrocarpa. Prunus serotina, Picea glauca, and Acer rubrum have been occasionally noted northward. The herb layer is seasonally variable, with spring ephemerals including Erythronium americanum, Sanguinaria canadensis, and Arisaema triphyllum succeeded by dense cover of mixed ferns, forbs, and graminoids. Summer-dominant herbs include Onoclea sensibilis and Boehmeria cylindrica. Matteuccia struthiopteris and Laportea canadensis may be present but are not abundant; other typical species include Pilea pumila, Lycopus uniflorus, Scutellaria lateriflora, Thelypteris palustris, Osmunda regalis, Thalictrum pubescens, Calamagrostis canadensis, and Cinna spp. This type differs from Acer saccharinum - (Populus deltoides) / Matteuccia struthiopteris Forest (CEGL006147) in its somewhat more poorly drained soils, longer flood duration, and the reduced importance of ostrich fern relative to sensitive fern along with generally higher herb layer richness. It generally lacks Populus deltoides and Salix nigra in the canopy. It may be bordered on its upland edge by terrace forests dominated by Acer saccharum.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.23614.ACERSACCHARINUM
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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