Name:
Pinus taeda / Hudsonia tomentosa Woodland
Reference:
Eastern Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This maritime woodland occurs on sand dunes of barrier islands in Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. Soils in this community are sandy and rapidly drained. This community often occurs directly adjacent to actively shifting foredunes and is exposed to salt spray, winds, and storms. The community also occurs on unstable sands of protected backdunes. In the denser woodlands, more pine duff accumulates, and herb diversity and cover are generally higher. Where woodlands are more open and trees sparse, growing conditions are harsh, less duff accumulates, and vast areas of exposed white sand are characteristic. Trees are generally characterized by low spreading branches and multiple trunks. A shrub layer is lacking; herbaceous cover is usually low. Pinus taeda dominates the canopy, but hardwoods such as Quercus falcata, Quercus phellos, and Ilex opaca are frequent. Younger, smaller pines make up a sparse subcanopy. Tall shrubs are also sparse, although an occasional Morella cerifera (= Myrica cerifera), Pinus taeda sapling, or Vaccinium corymbosum can be found. Sparse low shrubs of Hudsonia tomentosa are more common. Smilax glauca, Smilax rotundifolia, and Toxicodendron radicans are typical vines. Herbs are sparse, yet much varied. Andropogon virginicus is commonly present. The typical pattern of herb distribution is on dry open sand, in direct sunlight. Here, small patches of Dichanthelium acuminatum, Dichanthelium scoparium, Andropogon virginicus, Eupatorium rotundifolium, Erigeron sp., Euthamia caroliniana (= Euthamia tenuifolia), Solidago sempervirens, Aristida tuberculosa, Polygonella articulata, and Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium (= Gnaphalium obtusifolium) are typically mixed with scattered Hudsonia tomentosa and Smilax rotundifolia. This community ranges from Delaware south along the coast to Virginia.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.27544.PINUSTAEDAHUDSO
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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