Name:
Quercus prinus - (Quercus coccinea, Quercus velutina) / Kalmia latifolia / Vaccinium pallidum Forest
Reference:
Eastern Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This chestnut oak forest occurs at relatively low elevations (mostly <900 m) in the central Appalachians and adjacent northern Piedmont and adjacent areas occurring on dry, acidic, infertile soils on mid and upper slopes. The canopy is strongly dominated by Quercus prinus. The most frequent canopy associate is Quercus coccinea, which varies from sparse to codominant. Minor associates frequently include Quercus velutina plus Quercus alba, Quercus rubra, Nyssa sylvatica, Sassafras albidum, and Robinia pseudoacacia. Acer rubrum and Nyssa sylvatica are usually abundant in the understory tree layers. Tall shrubs include Kalmia latifolia (usually dominant), Viburnum acerifolium, with Rhododendron periclymenoides, which occurs with high frequency and occasional high cover. The dwarf- or short-shrub layer is well-developed and includes Vaccinium pallidum, Vaccinium stamineum, and Gaylussacia baccata, any one of which can exhibit patch-dominance. The herb layer generally has sparse cover and includes Aureolaria laevigata, Chimaphila maculata, Comandra umbellata, Cypripedium acaule, Danthonia spicata, Epigaea repens, Hieracium venosum, Lysimachia quadrifolia, Medeola virginiana, Monotropa uniflora, Pteridium aquilinum, and Uvularia puberula. Strong dominance of Quercus prinus in the canopy, frequent and sometimes abundant Rhododendron periclymenoides in the tall-shrub layer, and Vaccinium pallidum present and often abundant as a dwarf-shrub are diagnostics for this type.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.28174.QUERCUSPRINUSQU
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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