Name:
Fagus grandifolia - Magnolia grandiflora / Ostrya virginiana / Aesculus parviflora Forest
Reference:
Southeastern Ecology Working Gro...
Description:
This is a generally circumneutral beech - magnolia association which occurs on slopes in the Alabama Red Hills area. It occurs in mesic conditions on slopes of various aspects. Fagus grandifolia and Magnolia grandiflora are canopy dominants in most stands, with Fagus grandifolia generally more abundant. Other canopy dominants include Liquidambar styraciflua, Fraxinus americana, Liriodendron tulipifera, Tilia americana var. caroliniana, Magnolia macrophylla, Quercus pagoda, Ostrya virginiana, Carya carolinae-septentrionalis, and Quercus alba. Carya carolinae-septentrionalis is a characteristic but not constant species, which occurs in many stands of this association in the Alabama Red Hills, but does not occur in Florida, or west of the Mississippi River. The subcanopy can be dominated by Magnolia grandiflora, Ostrya virginiana, Halesia diptera, Ilex opaca, Magnolia macrophylla, Fagus grandifolia, and/or Cornus florida. Also of interest are Magnolia pyramidata and Magnolia acuminata which are found in some stands. The most important shrub for differentiating the type is Aesculus parviflora, which is found in nearly all stands and is nearly endemic to Alabama. Other important shrubs are Ostrya virginiana, Illicium floridanum, Hydrangea quercifolia, Arundinaria gigantea, Halesia diptera, Aesculus pavia, Fagus grandifolia, Magnolia grandiflora, and Calycanthus floridus var. floridus. The herbaceous layer is generally sparse. The most common herbaceous plants include Polystichum acrostichoides, Laportea canadensis, Smilax hugeri, Carex spp., Luzula spp., Hexastylis arifolia, Mitchella repens, Solidago caesia, Phegopteris hexagonoptera, Chasmanthium sessiliflorum, Dioscorea quaternata, Sanicula canadensis, and Aristolochia serpentaria. Some stands of this association support populations of the endangered Phaeognathus hubrichti (Red Hills salamander).
Accession Code:
VB.CC.25264.FAGUSGRANDIFOLI
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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