Name:
Nyssa sylvatica - Magnolia virginiana - (Pinus rigida) / Rhododendron viscosum - Toxicodendron vernix / Smilax pseudochina Woodland
Reference:
Description:
This saturated woodland is known from a limited area at and just east of the Fall-line in Maryland and northern Virginia. It occurs on saturated toeslopes at bases of highly weathered, highly acidic, fluvial-estuarine terrace gravel deposits of Cretaceous or Tertiary age. Irregular microtopography with abundant groundwater seepage forming braided channels, <i>Sphagnum</i>-covered hummocks, and mucky depressions is characteristic. Historic accounts of this vegetation describe these areas as "bogs" with <i>Magnolia virginiana</i> and various shrubs fringing and forming clumps within a more open center dominated by herbaceous plants. Historic vegetation included <i>Nyssa sylvatica, Toxicodendron vernix</i> (abundant), <i>Gaylussacia frondosa</i> (abundant), <i>Viburnum nudum var. nudum, Pinus rigida</i>, and <i>Eriocaulon decangulare</i> (abundant), <i>Lycopodiella appressa, Carex bullata, Asclepias rubra, Helianthus angustifolius, Rhynchospora gracilenta, Xyris torta, Pogonia ophioglossoides</i>, and <i>Utricularia</i> spp. Today, remaining examples exist mostly as open woodlands with very dense shrubs (averaging 80% cover) and very small, scattered herbaceous patches. <i>Nyssa sylvatica</i> is the most dominant species, followed by <i>Magnolia virginiana, Acer rubrum, Liriodendron tulipifera</i>, and <i>Ilex opaca var. opaca</i>. <i>Pinus rigida</i> occurs in about half the plots, sometimes with significant cover. Shrub cover includes <i>Rhododendron viscosum, Vaccinium corymbosum, Smilax rotundifolia, Gaylussacia frondosa, Viburnum nudum var. nudum, Leucothoe racemosa, Photinia pyrifolia (= Aronia arbutifolia), Ilex verticillata, Amelanchier canadensis, Ilex laevigata</i>, and <i>Toxicodendron vernix</i>. The only herbs that have significant cover are <i>Osmunda cinnamomea</i> and <i>Dichanthelium dichotomum var. dichotomum</i>, while many others have low cover. Regionally uncommon or rare "bog" species persisting at one or a few sites include <i>Solidago uliginosa var. uliginosa, Eurybia radula (= Aster radula), Eriocaulon decangulare, Juncus longii, Drosera intermedia, Asclepias rubra</i>, and <i>Kalmia angustifolia</i>. Historically, fire may have been an important factor maintaining herbaceous patches and limiting the growth of shrubs and trees, but dynamics of this community type are not fully understood. This community has always had a limited distribution in the Mid-Atlantic fall-line zone and has probably always been rare. Today, less than 10 sites remain in very small patches degraded by fire exclusion, woody succession, and various anthropogenic impacts. This community has similarities with the bog vegetation of the New Jersey Pine Barren region but is likely distinguished by species with southern affinities.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.37283.CEGL006219
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
2
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