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Acer rubrum - Prunus serotina / Cornus amomum Floodplain Forest | NatureServe Biotics 2019
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Name: Acer rubrum - Prunus serotina / Cornus amomum Floodplain Forest
Reference: NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description: These floodplain forests dominated by <i>Acer rubrum</i> are found on smaller rivers and large streams in the northeastern United States. They are characteristic of small to moderate watersheds. The soils are alluvial loams to silt loams, temporarily inundated during spring floods, and often imperfectly drained. There may be a limited organic horizon, but the soils are predominantly mineral and acidic. The forest can range from closed-canopy to woodland structure. Shrub cover is generally moderate, and may be locally high in patches. Herbs are often abundant, with ferns particularly characteristic. Bryophytes are minor. <i>Acer rubrum</i> is the dominant tree; associated woody and herbaceous species can vary somewhat depending on elevation within the floodplain. <i>Ulmus americana</i> is typical of the lowest floodplain elevations, <i>Prunus serotina</i> and <i>Carpinus caroliniana</i> of the middle elevations, and <i>Quercus rubra</i> and <i>Pinus strobus</i> of the higher elevations, grading to upland forest. Characteristic shrubs include <i>Carpinus caroliniana, Cornus amomum, Viburnum</i> spp., and <i>Ilex verticillata</i>. <i>Toxicodendron radicans</i> and <i>Vitis labrusca</i> are common vines. The most abundant herbs are the ferns <i>Onoclea sensibilis, Osmunda regalis, Osmunda cinnamomea, Osmunda claytoniana</i>, and <i>Athyrium filix-femina</i>. Other herbs include <i>Boehmeria cylindrica, Arisaema triphyllum, Cinna latifolia, Galium asprellum, Impatiens capensis</i>, and <i>Doellingeria umbellata</i>. This type differs from most other deciduous floodplain forests in its dominance by <i>Acer rubrum</i>; it differs from the more northerly ~<i>Acer rubrum - Abies balsamea / Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides</i> Floodplain Forest (CEGL006501)$$ by the presence of more temperate species such as <i>Carpinus caroliniana</i> and <i>Cornus amomum</i> and the absence or low importance of <i>Abies balsamea</i>. It differs from red maple swamps in non-floodplain settings by its alluvial, mineral soils with poor horizon development and the presence of floodplain species such as <i>Cornus amomum, Boehmeria cylindrica, Prunus serotina</i>, and <i>Parthenocissus</i> spp. 
Accession Code: urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:35134-{4DE5D872-52A0-4CB5-9707-29102F118108}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 27-Jan-2003 to: ongoing
      Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.683677 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Code: CEGL006503
  Translated: Red Maple - Black Cherry / Silky Dogwood Floodplain Forest
  Common: Red Maple Floodplain Forest
  Scientific: Acer rubrum - Prunus serotina / Cornus amomum Floodplain Forest
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(similar) Acer rubrum - Prunus serotina / Cornus amomum Forest
(similar) Acer rubrum - Prunus serotina / Cornus amomum Floodplain Forest