Name:
Taxodium distichum - Fraxinus pennsylvanica - Quercus laurifolia / Acer rubrum / Saururus cernuus Forest
Reference:
Southeastern Ecology Working Gro...
Description:
This forest of bald-cypress and mixed hardwoods occurs in sloughs, alluvial flats, and other alluvial settings in the Coastal Plain of the southeastern United States, especially on soils with a percentage of silt. This type was originally documented in the Atlantic Coastal Plain but also occurs in the Gulf Coastal Plain as well. Examples of this association are dominated by Taxodium distichum, but differ from most other bald-cypress forests in the diversity of other hardwoods present (stands codominated by Nyssa are accommodated by other associations). A number of other tree species may be present in the canopy and/or subcanopy, some of which are indicative of less inundated conditions typically found in well developed slough and backswamps. These species include Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Quercus laurifolia, Quercus lyrata, Quercus michauxii, Acer rubrum, Liquidambar styraciflua, Planera aquatica, Fraxinus caroliniana, Celtis laevigata, Ulmus americana, Platanus occidentalis, and Acer negundo. The canopy is closed and the subcanopy layer generally is well-developed. The shrub layer is sparse and the herbaceous layer ranges from sparse to moderately dense depending upon duration of flooding. Acer rubrum is the strong dominant in the subcanopy with Planera aquatica, Carpinus caroliniana, Ulmus alata, Ilex decidua, and Celtis laevigata typical in this stratum as well. Itea virginica and Cephalanthus occidentalis are typical in the shrub layer. A variety of vines are possible within occurrences of this community. These include Vitis rotundifolia, Vitis aestivalis, Bignonia capreolata, Campsis radicans, Berchemia scandens, Trachelospermum difforme, and Mikania scandens. The most commonly occurring herbs are Asclepias perennis, Boehmeria cylindrica, Pilea pumila, Saururus cernuus, Commelina virginica, Justicia ovata, Phanopyrum gymnocarpon, Carex lupulina, Leersia lenticularis, Ludwigia alternifolia, and Chasmanthium latifolium. This forest type is documented in North Carolina and South Carolina; global distribution needs assessment.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.28002.TAXODIUMDISTICH
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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