Name:
Quercus coccinea - Quercus velutina / Sassafras albidum / Vaccinium pallidum Forest
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This dry coastal and coastal plain oak-heath forest of New England and the northeastern Coastal Plain occurs on rapidly drained, nutrient-poor, sandy or gravelly soils. North of the glacial border, these soils are typically found on till or outwash. The canopy is dominated by <i>Quercus coccinea, Quercus velutina</i>, and <i>Quercus alba</i>, the latter species particularly characteristic of gravel substrates. Other less abundant canopy associates include <i>Quercus prinus, Betula lenta</i>, and <i>Ilex opaca</i> (usually less than 15% cover). <i>Pinus rigida</i> is a common associate but occurs at low cover. <i>Sassafras albidum</i> may occur in low cover and may indicate influence by coastal (but not maritime) climate where this type occurs. <i>Castanea dentata</i> saplings can be common. A 'lawn-like' dwarf-shrub heath layer dominated by <i>Vaccinium pallidum, Vaccinium angustifolium</i>, and <i>Gaylussacia baccata</i> is characteristic. <i>Gaylussacia frondosa</i> also occurs in some stands. The herbaceous layer is typically sparse, with <i>Carex pensylvanica, Pteridium aquilinum</i>, and <i>Gaultheria procumbens</i> being the most common. Herb diversity is greater in small canopy gaps, where <i>Helianthemum canadense, Tephrosia virginiana, Aureolaria</i> spp., <i>Lespedeza</i> spp., <i>Lechea</i> spp., and <i>Arctostaphylos uva-ursi</i> occur.<br /><br />In New Jersey, this type ranges throughout the Coastal Plain and the central Pinelands. It includes oak-pine forests with a low heath stratum, found on sandy to loamy soils in the Pinelands. The forests often have a closed to partially-closed canopy characterized by dry-site oaks such as <i>Quercus coccinea, Quercus velutina, Quercus alba, Quercus prinus</i>, and <i>Quercus stellata</i>. Tree oak cover is typically 50-100%, and shrub oaks are rare or absent. Associate canopy species include <i>Pinus rigida</i> and/or <i>Pinus echinata</i>, with covers typically 5-10% (up to 25%). <i>Sassafras albidum</i> is often present in small amounts in the canopy and midstory. Fire-sensitive hardwoods and holly are absent. Low heath shrubs include <i>Gaylussacia baccata, Gaylussacia frondosa</i>, and <i>Vaccinium pallidum</i>, while some areas can have <i>Kalmia latifolia</i> joining the shrub layer. Herbs are sparse but often include <i>Pteridium aquilinum, Gaultheria procumbens</i> and <i>Melampyrum lineare</i>, with <i>Tephrosia virginiana</i> and <i>Carex pensylvanica</i> in openings.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:35019-{8F42B510-490E-4C73-8405-E8DEE2240832}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
5
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