Name:
Quercus lyrata - Liquidambar styraciflua / Forestiera acuminata Floodplain Forest
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This forest is common in river swamps and low, moist bottomlands in the Mississippi River Alluvial Plain, the Red River Valley of Louisiana, and adjacent parts of the West Gulf Coastal Plain of Texas and Arkansas. It ranges north to southern Illinois, southeastern Indiana, and western Kentucky, and east to parts of Mississippi and Alabama. The mosaic of possible hydrologic conditions results in considerable species diversity, but <i>Quercus lyrata</i> and <i>Liquidambar styraciflua</i> are usually dominant. It is distinguished from other <i>Quercus lyrata</i> forests of the Gulf region by lacking <i>Quercus texana</i>, and having more <i>Liquidambar styraciflua</i> than <i>Carya aquatica</i> [see Similar Associations). This type is drier than forests in which <i>Carya aquatica</i> is codominant. Other canopy species commonly include <i>Ulmus americana, Carya aquatica, Fraxinus profunda, Celtis laevigata, Acer rubrum, Acer saccharinum</i>, and <i>Quercus palustris</i> (north of the range of <i>Quercus texana</i>). Trees in this forest are generally tall (30-45 m [100-150 feet]), and often exhibit thick trunks and stout branches that form broad irregular crowns. Oaks are generally of medium height, while <i>Liquidambar</i> may reach 45 m (150 feet) in height with tall, straight trunks. Canopy closure is complete (70-100%), and subcanopy, shrub, herbaceous, and vine density and diversity are directly affected by the timing, duration, and depth of seasonal flooding. The subcanopy in some occurrences is dense and is dominated by <i>Crataegus viridis</i> and <i>Ulmus americana</i>. The shrub layer is dominated by <i>Forestiera acuminata, Planera aquatica, Cornus foemina, Ilex decidua</i>, and <i>Cephalanthus occidentalis</i>. Vines may be dense and include <i>Brunnichia ovata, Campsis radicans</i>, and <i>Vitis</i> spp. Commonly encountered herbaceous species include <i>Boehmeria cylindrica, Carex lupulina, Commelina virginica, Laportea canadensis, Ludwigia palustris, Pilea pumila, Polygonum hydropiperoides, Triadenum tubulosum</i>, and <i>Cinna arundinacea</i> (in the more northern parts of the association's distribution). Herbaceous growth and diversity will be limited in areas of consistently longer hydroperiod. Stands occur on level to gently sloping bottomlands along streams and rivers, in sinkhole basins, or in shallow sloughs. Flooding occurs seasonally or during periods of heavy precipitation, often resulting in ponding. A high water table is present. The deep soils (greater than 100 cm in depth), derived from alluvial parent material, are somewhat poorly drained and are seasonally wet.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:31332-{A872B663-8C9D-42D5-8058-C6810C868941}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
10
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