Name:
Quercus montana - (Quercus coccinea, Quercus rubra) / Kalmia latifolia / Vaccinium pallidum Forest
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This chestnut oak forest occurs at relatively low elevations (mostly <900 m) in the Central Appalachians and adjacent areas (e.g., northern Piedmont), in association with dry, acidic, infertile soils on middle and upper slopes. The canopy, which may be rather short, is strongly dominated by <i>Quercus montana</i>. The most characteristic canopy associates are <i>Quercus coccinea</i>, which varies from sparse to codominant, and <i>Quercus rubra</i>. Minor associates frequently include <i>Quercus velutina, Quercus alba, Nyssa sylvatica, Sassafras albidum</i>, and/or <i>Robinia pseudoacacia</i>. Root sprouts of <i>Castanea dentata</i> are present in some areas. <i>Acer rubrum</i> and <i>Nyssa sylvatica</i> are often abundant in the understory tree layers. Tall shrubs include <i>Kalmia latifolia</i> (usually dominant), <i>Viburnum acerifolium</i>, and <i>Rhododendron periclymenoides</i>. The short-shrub layer is well-developed and includes <i>Vaccinium pallidum, Vaccinium stamineum</i>, and <i>Gaylussacia baccata</i>, any one of which can exhibit patch-dominance. The herb layer generally has sparse cover but sometimes includes scattered individuals of <i>Aureolaria laevigata, Chimaphila maculata, Comandra umbellata, Cypripedium acaule, Danthonia spicata, Epigaea repens, Gaultheria procumbens, Hieracium venosum, Lysimachia quadrifolia, Medeola virginiana, Monotropa uniflora, Pteridium aquilinum</i>, and/or <i>Uvularia puberula</i>. Strong dominance of <i>Quercus montana</i> in the canopy, strong dominance of <i>Kalmia latifolia</i> in the tall-shrub layer, and <i>Vaccinium pallidum</i> present and often abundant as a short shrub are diagnostics for this type.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:34946-{57F164FE-AE5A-4DC3-830B-4445C098A270}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
184
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