Name:
Pinus taeda / Hudsonia tomentosa Woodland
Reference:
Eastern Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This maritime woodland occurs on large, xeric sand dunes of barrier islands in Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. Soils in this community are sandy and rapidly drained. It often occurs directly adjacent to actively shifting foredunes and is exposed to salt spray, winds and storms. The community also occurs on unstable sands of protected backdunes. In the denser woodlands, more pine duff accumulates, and herb diversity and cover are generally higher. Where woodlands are more open and trees sparse, growing conditions are harsh, less duff accumulates, and vast areas of exposed white sand are characteristic. Trees are generally characterized by low spreading branches and multiple trunks. A shrub layer is sparse or lacking; herbaceous cover is usually low. <i>Pinus taeda</i> dominates the canopy, but hardwoods such as <i>Quercus falcata, Quercus </i><i>nigra</i>, and <i>Ilex opaca</i> are frequent but have low stature and cover. Younger, smaller pines make up a sparse subcanopy. Tall shrubs are also sparse, although an occasional <i>Morella cerifera (= Myrica cerifera), Pinus taeda</i> sapling, hardwood sapling, or <i>Vaccinium corymbosum</i> can be found. Sparse low shrubs of <i>Hudsonia tomentosa</i> are more common. <i>Smilax glauca, Smilax rotundifolia</i>, and <i>Toxicodendron radicans</i> are typical vines. Herbs are sparse, yet much varied; <i>Schizachyrium littorale</i> is commonly present. The typical pattern of herb distribution is on dry open sand, in direct sunlight. Here, small patches of <i>Dichanthelium </i><i>ovale</i><i>, Dichanthelium scoparium, </i><i>Schizachyrium littorale</i><i>, </i><i>Cyperus grayi, Lechea maritima var. virginica, </i><i>Eupatorium rotundifolium, Erigeron</i> sp., <i>Euthamia caroliniana (= Euthamia tenuifolia), Solidago sempervirens, Aristida tuberculosa, Polygonella articulata, </i><i>Panicum amarum</i>, and <i>Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium (= Gnaphalium obtusifolium)</i> are typically mixed with scattered <i>Hudsonia tomentosa</i> and <i>Smilax rotundifolia</i>.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.31258.CEGL006052
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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