Name:
Acer rubrum - Nyssa sylvatica - (Pinus rigida) / Ilex verticillata / Osmunda cinnamomea Forest
Reference:
Southeastern Ecology Working Gro...
Description:
This community occurs on groundwater-saturated flats and low slopes along streams in the Ridge and Valley, northern Blue Ridge, and western Piedmont at elevations of 200-360 m (700-1200 feet). The canopy is usually closed and consists of Acer rubrum, Nyssa sylvatica, and Liriodendron tulipifera. Pinus rigida is a frequent overstory associate in some Ridge and Valley and Blue Ridge stands, although its numbers have been recently reduced by southern pine beetle outbreaks. Other tree species may include Magnolia acuminata (especially at higher elevations), Betula lenta (especially at higher elevations), and Pinus strobus (especially at higher elevations). The shrub stratum is usually well-developed and includes Ilex verticillata, Vaccinium fuscatum, Vaccinium corymbosum, Kalmia latifolia, Alnus serrulata, Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides, Viburnum dentatum, Menziesia pilosa, Chionanthus virginicus, Smilax spp., and, less consistently, Carpinus caroliniana, Lindera benzoin, Gaylussacia frondosa, Gaylussacia baccata, Viburnum nudum var. nudum, Rhododendron catawbiense, Rhododendron periclymenoides, Rhododendron viscosum, and Toxicodendron vernix. Rubus hispidus is an abundant creeping vine in many stands. Typical herbaceous plants are Osmunda cinnamomea, Carex gynandra, Helonias bullata, Thelypteris noveboracensis, Medeola virginiana, Lycopodium obscurum, Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis, Parnassia asarifolia, Symplocarpus foetidus, Veratrum viride, and Viola cucullata. The recognition of segregate associations, subassociations, or variants may be warranted following additional assessment, ideally based on wider geographic sampling. Lower elevation sites are characterized by Amianthium muscitoxicum, Brachyelytrum erectum, Carex debilis, Carex intumescens, Cypripedium acaule, Gaylussacia frondosa, Lindera benzoin, Platanthera ciliaris, Platanthera clavellata, Uvularia sessilifolia, Viburnum nudum var. nudum, and Viola X primulifolia. Middle-elevation sites are characterized by Oclemena acuminata (= Aster acuminatus), Betula lenta, Magnolia acuminata, Pinus strobus, Rhododendron catawbiense, and Rhododendron viscosum. A single site (Magnolia Swamp), possibly with boggier or more organic soils, is characterized by Magnolia virginiana, Arethusa bulbosa, Dulichium arundinaceum, Juncus effusus, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Triadenum virginicum, and Woodwardia areolata.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.28294.ACERRUBRUMNYSSA
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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