Name:
Pinus virginiana - (Pinus rigida) - Nyssa sylvatica / Xanthorhiza simplicissima / Euphorbia corollata Forest
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This association occurs in narrow bands along high-energy floodplain gorges of a few rivers in West Virginia. Sites are located at constrictions associated with rapids and bends in the river. Solar exposure is relatively high for the gorge setting; most known sites occur in positions with southerly exposures. Substrates include bedrock, boulder, cobble, and sand. Soils are acidic, well-drained sand to sandy loam. Vegetation is a mixed evergreen-deciduous forest or woodland dominated by <i>Pinus virginiana</i> and/or <i>Pinus rigida</i>, with associated species forming an unusual mix of xerophytic and flood-tolerant species. The canopy varies from tall to somewhat stunted, with 30 to 70% cover. Canopy trees, in addition to the dominant pines, include <i>Acer rubrum, Nyssa sylvatica, Liriodendron tulipifera, Quercus prinus, Quercus alba</i>, and <i>Platanus occidentalis</i>. Other trees that are common in the subcanopy include <i>Tsuga canadensis, Ilex opaca var. opaca, Oxydendrum arboreum, Chionanthus virginicus, Carpinus caroliniana ssp. virginiana</i>, and <i>Betula nigra</i>. Shrub species include <i>Hamamelis virginiana, Rhododendron maximum, Kalmia latifolia, Lindera benzoin, Physocarpus opulifolius var. opulifolius</i>, and <i>Xanthorhiza simplicissima</i>. There is often regeneration of <i>Pinus virginiana</i> in the shrub layers. The herb layer is usually diverse, in sharp contrast to xeric upland associations dominated by <i>Pinus virginiana</i> or <i>Pinus rigida</i>. Common herbs in plots include <i>Rudbeckia laciniata, Potentilla canadensis, Pedicularis canadensis, Packera aurea, Lysimachia quadrifolia, Zizia aptera, Viola pedata, Solidago simplex var. racemosa, Packera paupercula, Hypoxis hirsuta, Euphorbia corollata, Deschampsia flexuosa, Schizachyrium scoparium, Andropogon gerardii</i>, and <i>Sorghastrum nutans</i>.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:35242-{E1AED87A-114D-4A0D-AD39-9453D440CFE1}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
12
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