Name:
Nyssa biflora - Liquidambar styraciflua / Glyceria septentrionalis - Hydrocotyle ranunculoides Forest
Reference:
Southeastern Ecology Working Gro...
Description:
The canopy composition of this Atlantic Coastal Plain association varies from nearly pure stands of Nyssa biflora to mixed stands of Nyssa biflora, Liquidambar styraciflua, Acer rubrum, and Quercus laurifolia. Occasional stands, dominated almost exclusively by Liquidambar styraciflua and Acer rubrum, may represent an early seral stage following heavy cutting. Characteristic subcanopy trees include all of the canopy species, along with Magnolia virginiana, Ilex opaca, and Ulmus americana. As in other flooded swamp forests, vines, especially Decumaria barbara and Toxicodendron radicans, are common. Characteristic shrubs are Lyonia ligustrina var. foliosiflora, Magnolia virginiana, Morella cerifera (= Myrica cerifera), Persea palustris, Rosa palustris, and Vaccinium corymbosum. Large colonies of the nominal herbs Glyceria septentrionalis and Hydrocotyle ranunculoides, as well as certain other species, may dominate the seasonal aspect of drawdown habitats. Other, more-or-less constant and characteristic herbs of this vegetation include Carex atlantica ssp. capillacea, Carex hyalinolepis, Carex seorsa, Cicuta maculata, Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis, Polygonum arifolium, Ptilimnium capillaceum, and Saururus cernuus. This type occurs in narrow, elongated areas along the upland edges of backswamps and smaller tributary swamps. These habitats are essentially similar to those occupied by the Fraxinus pennsylvanica / Cornus foemina / Carex bromoides Forest (CEGL007742), but the two types were not found in the same tributary drainages or elsewhere in close proximity. The hydrology is seasonally to less often semipermanently flooded. Some habitats occupied by this type are substantially drawn down by late May or early June; others have a more prolonged flooding regime, and local areas retain shallow water in hollows or pools throughout most or all of the growing season. Some habitats are rarely or occasionally flooded by exceptionally high wind tides. This community type occupies topographic habitats and soils similar to those of Fraxinus pennsylvanica / Cornus foemina / Carex bromoides Forest (CEGL007742). However, its lower mean species richness, along with the presence of typical peatland and bog species such as Carex atlantica ssp. capillacea, Carex lonchocarpa, Magnolia virginiana, Osmunda cinnamomea, Persea palustris, and Vaccinium corymbosum, suggests a less fertile and/or more acidic soil environment.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.28346.NYSSABIFLORALIQ
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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