Name:
Acer rubrum - Nyssa sylvatica / Ilex verticillata - Vaccinium fuscatum / Osmunda cinnamomea Seep Forest
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This community occurs on groundwater-saturated flats and low slopes along streams in the Ridge and Valley, northern Cumberland Plateau, Northern Blue Ridge, and western Piedmont at elevations of 200-900 m (700-2900 feet). Habitats are usually more-or-less narrow and elongate, with hummock-and-hollow microtopography, and frequently with a small ephemeral stream channel running through or adjacent to the community. Substrates are poorly drained mineral soils with numerous hydric indicators. The ground surface is slightly sloping, and drainage is usually via small, intricately braided channels with interspersed hummocks. The canopy is usually closed and consists of <i>Acer rubrum, Nyssa sylvatica</i>, and <i>Liriodendron tulipifera</i>. <i>Quercus alba</i> is an important associate in some areas, and <i>Ulmus rubra, Fraxinus americana</i>, and <i>Platanus occidentalis</i> are present in some stands. Minor or local tree species include <i>Magnolia acuminata, Tsuga canadensis, Betula lenta, Pinus rigida</i>, and <i>Pinus strobus</i>. The shrub stratum may be well-developed and includes <i>Ilex verticillata, Ilex opaca, Vaccinium corymbosum, Kalmia latifolia, Alnus serrulata, Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides, Viburnum dentatum, Smilax</i> spp., and, less consistently, <i>Carpinus caroliniana, Asimina triloba, Euonymus americanus, Lindera benzoin, Gaylussacia frondosa, Gaylussacia baccata, Menziesia pilosa, Vaccinium fuscatum, Chionanthus virginicus, Viburnum nudum var. nudum, Rhododendron viscosum</i>, and <i>Toxicodendron vernix</i>. <i>Rubus hispidus</i> is an abundant creeping vine in many stands. Typical herbaceous plants include <i>Osmunda cinnamomea, Carex gynandra, Carex lurida, Carex atlantica, Carex debilis, Thelypteris noveboracensis, Platanthera clavellata, Chelone glabra, Medeola virginiana, Dioscorea quaternata, Juncus effusus, Lycopus uniflorus, Lycopodium obscurum, Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis, Symplocarpus foetidus, Veratrum viride, Viola hastata</i>, and <i>Viola cucullata</i>.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:36038-{677D2257-0BCE-4DC3-9E21-EEADC37AB05A}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
68
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