Name:
Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana / Morella pensylvanica Woodland
Reference:
Eastern Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This maritime woodland community dominated by Juniperus virginiana occurs on sand dunes, upper edges of salt marshes, and less commonly on rocky headlands of the northern and mid-Atlantic coast. The physiognomy of this association is variable, ranging from dense tall-shrub thickets to open woodlands; trees are generally shorter than 4 m. Canopy trees are stunted and salt-pruned. Juniperus virginiana may form pure stands, but more often grows in association with Pinus rigida, Quercus stellata, Prunus serotina, Amelanchier canadensis, Ilex opaca, or Quercus velutina, which tend to have low percent cover. In the southern portion of the range Pinus taeda, Quercus falcata, Diospyros virginiana, and Quercus phellos can be infrequent canopy associates. A shrub layer may be well-developed where the canopy is more open and include Morella pensylvanica (= Myrica pensylvanica), Morella cerifera (= Myrica cerifera) (at the southern end of the range), Juniperus communis, Baccharis halimifolia, Iva frutescens, or Vaccinium corymbosum. Vines can be dense in the shrub layer and extend into the canopy; species include Toxicodendron radicans, Smilax rotundifolia, Smilax glauca, and Parthenocissus quinquefolia. Herbs are usually patchily distributed in openings and include many species from the surrounding dune associations among others. They include Opuntia humifusa, Dichanthelium ovale, Schizachyrium scoparium, Deschampsia flexuosa, Cyperus grayi, Polygonella articulata, Hieracium gronovii, Panicum amarum var. amarulum, Solidago sempervirens, Panicum virgatum, Spartina patens, and Lechea intermedia.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.26258.JUNIPERUSVIRGIN
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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