Name:
Chamaecyparis lawsoniana / Rhododendron occidentale / Carex spp. Swamp Forest
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This is an open-canopy, coniferous forest found on metamorphic substrates, primarily serpentine and gneiss, in southwestern Oregon and northwestern California. These forests are found entirely along streams and in wet, serpentine meadows, between 305 and 1525 m (1000-5000 feet) in elevation. The forests are old, but vary widely in appearance, with many of the trees appearing stunted, and the forests not very productive, in spite of the perennial water. <i>Chamaecyparis lawsoniana</i> is the primary dominant in all stands. In many stands, <i>Pseudotsuga menziesii</i> is codominant, although it is absent from the wettest meadows. <i>Pinus jeffreyi</i>, or rarely <i>Pinus attenuata</i> can also be locally important. The understory is characterized by a fairly dense cover of <i>Rhododendron occidentale</i>. Few other shrubs are found, although <i>Quercus vacciniifolia</i> and <i>Arctostaphylos viscida</i> are often present. Since these stands are riparian and wetland habitats, they are often mixed with serpentine meadows. Graminoids, including <i>Carex</i> species, <i>Deschampsia cespitosa, Calliscirpus criniger</i>, and forbs, including <i>Darlingtonia californica, Rudbeckia californica, Triantha glutinosa</i>, and <i>Narthecium californicum</i>, are generally found in wet openings. It is distinguished from similar associations by its unique serpentine wetland habitat and abundant herbaceous undergrowth.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:28956-{3D661DF0-42B8-4249-9D54-0BA63CBA732A}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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