Name:
Cephalanthus occidentalis Shrub Swamp Alliance
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This alliance, which occurs throughout the southeastern third of the United States, in the coastal plains and adjacent regions, contains seasonally and semipermanently flooded shrub swamp vegetation dominated by <i>Cephalanthus occidentalis</i>. Stands vary from dense, tall-shrub thickets to open shrub swamps. Tree canopy cover may reach 25% in some stands, including <i>Acer saccharinum</i> and <i>Quercus palustris</i> in the cool-temperate climatic zone and <i>Taxodium distichum</i> in the warm-temperate climatic zone. Standing water may cover the ground layer. <i>Cephalanthus occidentalis</i> is often the sole dominant in stands of this alliance, particularly in deeper (>0.5 m depth) zones of groundwater basins or lake borders on deep organic soils. Occasional shrub associates in the northern parts of its range include <i>Cornus sericea, Cornus amomum, Ilex verticillata, Rosa palustris, Salix</i> spp.,<i>Vaccinium corymbosum</i>, and <i>Viburnum dentatum</i>. Floating aquatic herbs such as <i>Lemna</i> spp. can be common in deepwater habitats, whereas a variety of forbs and graminoids are associates under less flooded conditions. These include <i>Bidens tripartita, Boehmeria cylindrica</i>, a wide variety of <i>Carex</i> spp., <i>Glyceria</i> spp., <i>Leersia oryzoides, Polygonum</i> spp., <i>Scutellaria lateriflora</i>, and <i>Sium suave</i>. This shrub swamp vegetation occupies shallow-water depressions, oxbow ponds, sinkhole ponds, and backwater sloughs of stream and river floodplains throughout swampy areas in the southeastern United States. Inundation may be continuous throughout the year, but these sites can become dry in mid or late summer or during periods of drought. <i>Cephalanthus occidentalis</i> appears to be very tolerant of extended periods of inundation which, by slowing canopy closure of trees and maintaining higher light levels, may favor this shrub. Soils can vary in texture from clays to sands, with organic horizons overlying these soils.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:38146-{E8A24FE4-66EC-46BE-91FF-B15029603E6B}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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