Name:
Acer saccharum - Fraxinus americana / Carpinus caroliniana / Podophyllum peltatum Forest
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
These rich floodplain forests are found on slightly elevated alluvial terraces and active floodplains of larger rivers in the mid-Atlantic states, interior to the Coastal Plain. The setting is a raised river terrace; however, this forest may occur very close to the riverbank if the water channel is well-entrenched. The alluvial soils are slightly acidic to alkaline and less regularly inundated than the soils supporting floodplain forests dominated by silver maple or sycamore. Stands on lower terraces may flood occasionally, but the period of inundation is short. The canopy is closed to somewhat open, and a subcanopy is often present. Shrubs are typically sparse but may range up to about 30% cover. The herb layer is well-developed, fairly diverse, and seasonally variable, with spring ephemerals giving way to taller ferns, graminoids and forbs. Bryoids are very minor. The canopy dominants are usually some combination of <i>Acer saccharum, Fraxinus americana</i>, and sometimes <i>Carya cordiformis</i>. Canopy associates include <i>Quercus rubra, Juglans nigra, Prunus serotina, Fraxinus nigra, Liriodendron tulipifera, Ulmus americana, Tilia americana</i>, and <i>Fagus grandifolia</i>. <i>Carpinus caroliniana</i> is often present as a small tree, along with <i>Acer saccharum</i>. <i>Lindera benzoin</i> is the most common shrub; <i>Asimina triloba</i> is characteristic in the southern portion of this type's range. Vines such as <i>Toxicodendron radicans</i> and <i>Parthenocissus quinquefolia</i> are frequent but usually at low cover. The herb layer usually features spring ephemerals, including <i>Claytonia virginica, Dicentra canadensis</i>, and <i>Erythronium americanum</i>, followed by a mixture of ferns, forbs and graminoids. Characteristic species include <i>Arisaema triphyllum, Caulophyllum thalictroides, Carex laxiculmis, Deparia acrostichoides, Elymus virginicus, Elymus riparius, Onoclea sensibilis</i>, and <i>Podophyllum peltatum</i>. Exotic species, such as <i>Microstegium vimineum, Glechoma hederacea</i>, and <i>Alliaria petiolata</i>, may be abundant, especially in disturbed areas. These terrace forests are related to lower floodplain forests, e.g. <i>~Platanus occidentalis - Acer negundo - Juglans nigra / Asimina triloba / Mertensia virginica</i> Floodplain Forest (CEGL004073)$$, but distinguished by the reduced importance of <i>Acer saccharinum</i> and <i>Platanus occidentalis</i>; they differ from enriched upland hardwood forests, e.g., <i>~Acer saccharum - Tilia americana / Asimina triloba / Jeffersonia diphylla - Caulophyllum thalictroides</i> Forest (CEGL008412)$$, in their alluvial soils and flooding regime.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:35100-{0F11F376-4A88-4302-AF52-28F4184E9281}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
9
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