Name:
Maclura pomifera - Diospyros virginiana / Glyceria striata - (Carex cherokeensis) Woodland
Reference:
Southeastern Ecology Working Gro...
Description:
This <i>Maclura pomifera</i>-dominated riparian mesic blackland community occurs in deep soils on level terrain, typically as relatively narrow communities bordering ephemeral streams. The community is very similar to ~<i>Ulmus americana - Fraxinus pennsylvanica - Celtis laevigata / Glyceria striata - (Carex cherokeensis)</i> Riparian Blackland Woodland (CEGL007778)$$, except for the dominance of <i>Maclura pomifera</i> and <i>Diospyros virginiana</i>. Native Americans used <i>Maclura</i> extensively and may have planted it in many of the lowlands of the blackland prairie region. These communities may be remnants of that historical practice. Dominant tree species include <i>Maclura pomifera</i> and <i>Diospyros virginiana</i> with <i>Acer negundo, Ampelopsis arborea, Berchemia scandens, Campsis radicans, Celtis laevigata var. laevigata, Cercis canadensis var. canadensis, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Liquidambar styraciflua, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Toxicodendron radicans, Ulmus americana</i>, and <i>Vitis cinerea</i> occurring as occasional woody vegetation during periods of fire suppression. The dominant herbaceous species is <i>Glyceria striata</i> or <i>Carex cherokeensis</i> with <i>Arundinaria gigantea, Carex debilis, Carex tribuloides, Helianthus grosseserratus, Juncus effusus</i>, and <i>Leersia oryzoides</i>. Occasional herbs include <i>Boehmeria cylindrica, Carex tribuloides, Helianthus grosseserratus, Juncus effusus, Ranunculus hispidus, Packera glabella (= Senecio glabellus), Sisyrinchium angustifolium, Smilax glauca, Spigelia marilandica</i>, and <i>Tradescantia ohiensis</i>. Temporarily high water tables probably strongly influence herbaceous composition and moderately influence woody species composition. Woody vegetation succession is rapid during periods of fire suppression, forming almost impenetrable thickets of vines and shrubs. No high-quality examples of this community are known. A greater understanding of this community type should result with fire management. Fire-suppressed remnants of this community occur at the International Paper Blackland Prairie and Woods tract. The type location is Clark County, Arkansas. Other examples are known from Howard and Hempstead counties, and it should be found in Little River, Nevada, and Sevier counties, Arkansas.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.35805.CEGL007779
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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