Name:
Morella pensylvanica Dune Shrubland Alliance
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This alliance includes maritime shrublands and dune thickets of the Mid-Atlantic Coast dominated by <i>Morella pensylvanica</i>, with <i>Baccharis halimifolia, Rhus copallinum</i>, as well as vines such as <i>Smilax glauca, Smilax rotundifolia, Vitis rotundifolia, Parthenocissus quinquefolia</i>, or <i>Toxicodendron radicans</i>. <i>Prunus maritima</i> is characteristic of this community from Maryland to the north. The constant movement of sand in this community limits the herbaceous cover. Typical herbaceous species include <i>Ammophila breviligulata, Cenchrus tribuloides, Chamaesyce polygonifolia, Cyperus grayi, Dichanthelium acuminatum, Diodia teres, Hudsonia tomentosa, Lechea maritima, Oenothera humifusa, Panicum amarum var. amarulum, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Rumex acetosella, Solidago sempervirens, Spartina patens</i>, and <i>Triplasis purpurea</i>. This maritime shrubland usually occupies the intermediate areas between the very unstable oceanward portions of the dunes and the more protected backdunes, where it forms open shrubland with much bare sand to dense shrub thickets. The substrate is sand with no soil profile development, and with variable amounts of accumulated leaf litter. Where this community occupies the lee side of foredunes, greater exposure to winds and storms contributes to a shorter stature and more open aspect of the vegetation. Here there are large patches of open unvegetated or sparsely vegetated sand.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:38128-{DEC58D65-3E0A-48BB-94CE-8677AA32E0EB}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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