Name:
Acer rubrum - Fraxinus (pennsylvanica, americana) / Lindera benzoin / Symplocarpus foetidus Swamp Forest
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This association is a seepage swamp dominated by <i>Acer rubrum</i> and ranging from southern New England south to the Piedmont of Virginia. It generally occurs in saturated situations on slightly sloping hillsides, along small streams, or in basins that receive overland flooding in addition to groundwater influence. In general, these swamps are moderately acidic to moderately basic and have some seepage indicators but are not particularly species-rich. Soils are shallow to moderately deep mucks over mineral soils. <i>Acer rubrum</i> dominates the canopy; <i>Fraxinus pennsylvanica</i> or <i>Fraxinus americana</i> are usually also found in the canopy and can be codominant. <i>Fraxinus nigra</i> is not generally associated with this type at the northern portion of the range, and, if present, occurs only as scattered individuals, but this species does occur in this type in Pennsylvania. Other canopy or subcanopy associates may include <i>Liriodendron tulipifera, Quercus bicolor, Quercus palustris, Prunus serotina, Fagus grandifolia, Betula lenta, Ulmus americana</i>, and <i>Ulmus rubra</i>. Conifers such as <i>Tsuga canadensis</i> or <i>Pinus strobus</i> are generally absent or occur in very low abundance. The shrub layer may be fairly open to quite dense, depending on the amount of canopy closure. Shrub species commonly include <i>Ilex verticillata, Rhododendron viscosum, Clethra alnifolia, Lindera benzoin, Cornus amomum, Alnus serrulata</i>, and less commonly <i>Vaccinium corymbosum, Lyonia ligustrina, Ilex montana, Toxicodendron vernix, Viburnum dentatum</i>, and <i>Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides</i>. The herbaceous layer is variable in cover; <i>Symplocarpus foetidus</i> and <i>Osmunda cinnamomea</i> are nearly always present. In some areas, tall ferns (<i>Osmunda cinnamomea, Onoclea sensibilis, Osmunda regalis, Thelypteris palustris, Thelypteris noveboracensis</i>) form an herbaceous canopy within which other species are scattered. Microtopography is generally pronounced, resulting from tip-ups. Tree seedlings and <i>Sphagnum</i> mosses are common on hummocks but do not in general form extensive carpets. Additional nonvascular species can include <i>Plagiomnium cuspidatum</i> and <i>Calliergon</i> spp. Invasive shrubs and herbs, including <i>Berberis thunbergii, Rosa multiflora, Lonicera morrowii, Alliaria petiolata</i>, and <i>Microstegium vimineum</i>, may be abundant.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:35050-{3A7E58CF-A509-4D6C-B479-507F42A1B964}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
22
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