Name:
Quercus nigra - Liquidambar styraciflua / Ilex opaca - Vaccinium fuscatum / Carex debilis Floodplain Forest
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This floodplain forest community occurs on temporarily flooded terraces along small streams and small rivers in the West Gulf Coastal Plain. The temporarily high water table leads to frequent tree falls and gaps. This plant community floods occasionally, and water stands for relatively short duration. <i>Quercus nigra</i> is the dominant tree, with <i>Liquidambar styraciflua</i> being a common component. Constant tree-fall disturbance leads to a high component of <i>Liquidambar styraciflua</i> in the overstory. Other tree species include <i>Carya ovata, Nyssa sylvatica, Pinus taeda</i> (present only as stumps in some examples), <i>Quercus shumardii, Quercus alba</i>, and <i>Ulmus americana</i>. <i>Ilex opaca</i> is the dominant understory tree with <i>Acer rubrum var. rubrum, Carpinus caroliniana, Crataegus marshallii, Diospyros virginiana, Ulmus alata, Celtis laevigata</i>, and <i>Fraxinus pennsylvanica</i>. In addition, <i>Juglans nigra</i> will be present in some stands as a subcanopy or canopy component. The shrub layer is often sparse except in tree-fall gaps and includes <i>Vaccinium fuscatum</i>, and <i>Vaccinium virgatum</i> and <i>Ditrysinia fruticosa</i> in more southerly examples. <i>Sabal minor</i> may be present within its range. Woody vines are an important component of this community and may be present in high cover values. Vine species include <i>Vitis rotundifolia, Nekemias arborea, Amphicarpaea bracteata, Berchemia scandens, Bignonia capreolata, Campsis radicans, Cocculus carolinus, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Smilax bona-nox, Smilax rotundifolia, Trachelospermum difforme</i>, and <i>Toxicodendron radicans</i>. The herbaceous layer is moderately dense with <i>Symphyotrichum lanceolatum, Carex complanata, Carex debilis, Carex glaucodea, Galium obtusum ssp. obtusum, Sanicula canadensis, Trachelospermum difforme, Tridens strictus</i>, and occasional stands of <i>Arundinaria gigantea</i>. Little leaf litter is present.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:36152-{5B8AB144-8F80-4850-BBBF-50786B9F44E6}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
4
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