Name:
Fagus grandifolia - Quercus nigra Forest
Reference:
Southeastern Ecology Working Gro...
Description:
Mesic mixed hardwood forests of the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain dominated by <i>Fagus grandifolia</i> and <i>Quercus nigra</i> with limited <i>Quercus alba</i>. This community grades into drier zones in which <i>Quercus falcata, Pinus echinata</i>, and <i>Pinus taeda</i> are common. <i>Vaccinium</i> sp. and <i>Arundinaria gigantea</i> are important in the shrub layer. An additional example has a canopy dominated by <i>Fagus grandifolia, Liriodendron tulipifera</i>, and <i>Quercus nigra</i>. The understory is diverse and contains <i>Ostrya virginiana, Carpinus caroliniana</i>, and <i>Cornus florida</i>. <i>Symplocos tinctoria</i> and <i>Callicarpa americana</i> are common shrubs in this example. Another occurrence of this vegetation which has been documented from Richland County in South Carolina is dominated by <i>Fagus grandifolia, Quercus nigra</i>, and <i>Liquidambar styraciflua</i>. Other canopy species that may be present include <i>Nyssa sylvatica, Quercus alba, Quercus laurifolia, Quercus michauxii, Quercus pagoda, Ulmus alata, Acer rubrum</i>, and <i>Liriodendron tulipifera</i>. <i>Pinus taeda</i> may also be present particularly in occurrences with a history of disturbance. <i>Ilex opaca</i> dominates the subcanopy with <i>Carpinus caroliniana</i> and <i>Cornus florida</i> present. The well-developed shrub layer contains a variety of species, including <i>Euonymus americanus, Rhododendron canescens, Vaccinium elliottii, Vaccinium pallidum, Gaylussacia dumosa, Gaylussacia frondosa, Symplocos tinctoria, Arundinaria gigantea, Asimina triloba, Callicarpa americana</i>, and others. The herbaceous layer ranges from sparse to moderately well-developed and among the species that occur are <i>Osmunda cinnamomea, Polystichum acrostichoides, Mitchella repens, Chasmanthium sessiliflorum (= Chasmanthium laxum var. sessiliflorum), Malaxis unifolia, Arisaema triphyllum, Athyrium filix-femina ssp. asplenioides, Dichanthelium boscii, Goodyera pubescens, Carex debilis, Carex abscondita</i>, and <i>Tipularia discolor</i>. The vine/liana stratum is sparse and can contain <i>Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Smilax bona-nox, Toxicodendron radicans, Bignonia capreolata</i>, and <i>Smilax tamnoides (= Smilax hispida)</i> among others. The South Carolina example occurs on middle to lower convex slopes. Examples of this association seem to be extremely limited, as most similar sites have substantial amounts of <i>Quercus alba</i>. Vegetation which may pertain to this association from Chowan and Gates counties in North Carolina is described as being dominated by <i>Fagus grandifolia</i>, with <i>Quercus nigra</i> important on the moister sands.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.35801.CEGL007211
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
|
