Name:
Thuja occidentalis - Acer rubrum / Cornus sericea Forest
Reference:
Eastern Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This mixed swamp of the northeastern United States occurs on enriched substrates that favor the growth of <i>Thuja occidentalis</i>. It is generally in alluvial settings, but those that are subject to short periods of flooding. They are usually found in areas of calcareous bedrock. The closed canopy overtops a conspicuous shrub layer. Herbs are patchy and may be locally dense, especially on hummocks. The hummock-and-hollow topography limits most bryophyte growth to the hummocks, since hollows are often flooded. The canopy dominants are <i>Thuja occidentalis</i> and <i>Acer rubrum</i>. Associated tree species include <i>Fraxinus nigra, Betula alleghaniensis, Betula papyrifera, Pinus strobus, Picea mariana, Larix laricina, Abies balsamea, Ulmus rubra</i>, and <i>Ulmus americana</i>. Dominant shrubs include <i>Cornus sericea (= Cornus stolonifera), Cornus amomum, Rhamnus alnifolia, Toxicodendron vernix, Alnus</i> spp., and <i>Ilex verticillata</i>, plus <i>Viburnum nudum, Ledum groenlandicum</i>, and <i>Vaccinium corymbosum</i> less frequently. Ferns are characteristic in the herb layer, and include <i>Onoclea sensibilis, Thelypteris palustris, Osmunda cinnamomea</i>, and <i>Osmunda regalis</i>. Common herbs include <i>Carex stipata, Carex intumescens, Carex pedunculata, Amphicarpaea bracteata, Chelone glabra, Lysimachia thyrsiflora, Lycopus virginicus, Aralia nudicaulis, Glyceria striata, Mitella nuda, Cornus canadensis, Thalictrum pubescens</i>, and <i>Coptis trifolia</i>. Related northern white-cedar swamp associations lack a prominent deciduous component (~<i>Thuja occidentalis / Sphagnum (girgensohnii, warnstorfii)</i> Forest (CEGL006007)$$), or are on deeper peats and have more open canopies (~<i>Thuja occidentalis - Abies balsamea / Ledum groenlandicum / Carex trisperma</i> Woodland (CEGL006507)$$).
Accession Code:
VB.CC.31090.CEGL006199
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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