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Quercus texana - (Carya aquatica) / Cornus foemina / Symphyotrichum lanceolatum - Leersia virginica Floodplain Forest | NatureServe Biotics 2019
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Name: Quercus texana - (Carya aquatica) / Cornus foemina / Symphyotrichum lanceolatum - Leersia virginica Floodplain Forest
Reference: NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description: This hydric bottomland forest community occurs in areas with deep inundation (commonly to 90-120 cm [3-4 feet]) but good drainage on the Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain of southern Arkansas. It does not cover large acreages, usually forming 1- to 10-acre patches in association with bottomland flats. The canopy is tall (over 30 m [100 feet]) and closed under old-growth conditions. Younger stands typically exhibit a denser and more closed canopy. Small gaps due to windthrow are uncommon. The community differs from the <i>Quercus phellos</i>- and <i>Quercus lyrata</i>-dominated forest communities because it does not hold water long after the river returns to its banks, and the soil does not remain as saturated as the flatwoods do. The dominant tree species is <i>Quercus texana</i> (60-70% canopy cover) with <i>Carya aquatica</i> and often <i>Taxodium distichum</i>. Other overstory trees may include <i>Diospyros virginiana, Ilex opaca</i> (rare), <i>Liquidambar styraciflua, Quercus lyrata, Quercus phellos</i>, and <i>Ulmus americana</i>. The dominant understory tree is <i>Cornus foemina</i>, with <i>Acer rubrum, Fraxinus pennsylvanica</i>, and <i>Ilex decidua</i> occurring as occasional understory trees. Shrubs are uncommon but may include <i>Amorpha fruticosa</i> and <i>Sabal minor</i>. Woody vines are not common but may include <i>Berchemia scandens, Smilax rotundifolia, Smilax smallii</i>, and <i>Toxicodendron radicans</i>. Dominant herbaceous species include <i>Symphyotrichum lanceolatum</i> and <i>Leersia virginica</i>. The herbaceous layer can be sparse under low light conditions and is never dense. There is little leaf litter or duff build-up due to flooding. These forests appear to form on richer, perhaps higher pH and slightly better drained, soils than the surrounding <i>Quercus phellos</i> and <i>Quercus lyrata</i> flats. This forest community forms a mosaic with ~<i>Quercus lyrata - (Quercus phellos, Taxodium distichum) / Carex intumescens - Lycopus virginicus</i> Floodplain Forest (CEGL007989)$$, ~<i>Fraxinus pennsylvanica - Ulmus americana - (Quercus texana) / Bidens aristosa - Leersia virginica</i> Floodplain Forest (CEGL007987)$$, and ~<i>Quercus phellos / Chasmanthium laxum - Carex (flaccosperma, intumescens) - Hymenocallis liriosme</i> Wet Flatwoods Forest (CEGL007371)$$. A very high-quality example is known from the Yellow Creek Hunt Club. Other examples are known from Big Cypress Unique Area and Pond Creek National Wildlife Refuge. The type location is in Dallas County, Arkansas. This community is also known from Sevier and Hempstead counties, Arkansas. It is likely extant throughout the Ouachita River Basin. 
Accession Code: urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:36156-{48F78DC5-ADBF-4472-94D8-2D23794787E5}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 21-Dec-2015 to: ongoing
      Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687887 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Code: CEGL007988
  Translated: Nuttall Oak - (Water Hickory) / Stiff Dogwood / White Panicle Aster - Whitegrass Floodplain Forest
  Common: Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain Nuttall Oak Bottomland Forest
  Scientific: Quercus texana - (Carya aquatica) / Cornus foemina / Symphyotrichum lanceolatum - Leersia virginica Floodplain Forest
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(similar) Quercus texana - (Carya aquatica, Taxodium distichum) / Cornus foemina / Symphyotrichum lanceolatum - Leersia virginica Seasonally Flooded Floodplain Forest