Name:
Fagus grandifolia - Quercus nigra Forest
Reference:
Southeastern Ecology Working Gro...
Description:
Mesic mixed hardwood forests of the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain dominated by Fagus grandifolia and Quercus nigra with limited Quercus alba. This community grades into drier zones in which Quercus falcata, Pinus echinata, and Pinus taeda are common. Vaccinium sp. and Arundinaria gigantea are important in the shrub layer. An additional example has a canopy dominated by Fagus grandifolia, Liriodendron tulipifera, and Quercus nigra. The understory is diverse and contains Ostrya virginiana, Carpinus caroliniana, and Cornus florida. Symplocos tinctoria and Callicarpa americana are common shrubs in this example. Another occurrence of this vegetation which has been documented from Richland County in South Carolina is dominated by Fagus grandifolia, Quercus nigra, and Liquidambar styraciflua. Other canopy species that may be present include Nyssa sylvatica, Quercus alba, Quercus laurifolia, Quercus michauxii, Quercus pagoda, Ulmus alata, Acer rubrum, and Liriodendron tulipifera. Pinus taeda may also be present particularly in occurrences with a history of disturbance. Ilex opaca dominates the subcanopy with Carpinus caroliniana and Cornus florida present. The well-developed shrub layer contains a variety of species, including Euonymus americana, Rhododendron canescens, Vaccinium elliottii, Vaccinium pallidum, Gaylussacia dumosa, Gaylussacia frondosa, Symplocos tinctoria, Arundinaria gigantea, Asimina triloba, Callicarpa americana, and others. The herbaceous layer ranges from sparse to moderately well-developed and among the species that occur are Osmunda cinnamomea, Polystichum acrostichoides, Mitchella repens, Chasmanthium sessiliflorum (= Chasmanthium laxum var. sessiliflorum), Malaxis unifolia, Arisaema triphyllum, Athyrium filix-femina ssp. asplenioides, Dichanthelium boscii, Goodyera pubescens, Carex debilis, Carex abscondita, and Tipularia discolor. The vine/liana stratum is sparse and can contain Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Smilax bona-nox, Toxicodendron radicans, Bignonia capreolata, and Smilax tamnoides (= Smilax hispida) among others. The South Carolina example occurs on middle to lower convex slopes. Examples of this association seem to be extremely limited, as most similar sites have substantial amounts of Quercus alba. Vegetation which may pertain to this association from Chowan and Gates counties in North Carolina is described as being dominated by Fagus grandifolia, with Quercus nigra important on the moister sands.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.24224.FAGUSGRANDIFOLI
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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