Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: The closed, broad-leaved evergreen canopy is composed of Magnolia virginiana, Persea palustris, and Gordonia lasianthus. A patchy understory of shrubs Cyrilla racemiflora, Clethra alnifolia, Itea virginica, Lyonia lucida, and Ilex glabra and vines Smilax laurifolia, Smilax glauca, and Vitis rotundifolia occurs with an abundant to sparse layer of ferns Woodwardia areolata and Osmunda cinnamomea. Sphagnum mats are interlaced with exposed tree roots. Additional species found on Ocala National Forest include Quercus nigra, Pinus serotina, Vaccinium fuscatum, Gelsemium sempervirens, Morella cerifera, Nyssa biflora, Serenoa repens, Ilex cassine, Smilax smallii, and Viburnum nudum. Exotics include Triadica sebifera (= Sapium sebiferum) and Ligustrum sinense.

Dynamics:  Baygalls are seldom dry enough to burn, thus the fire interval is probably 50 to 100 years or more (FNAI 1990). However, Clewell (1971) estimated the fire-return interval to be less than 45 years. When fires are not too severe, many species are usually able to resprout (FNAI 1990). These forests are probably prone to some infrequent, but perhaps moderate-intensity wildfire. Once Gordonia lasianthus is tree-sized, its thick bark provides some protection from fire. Hurricanes could cause blowdown.

This community succeeds from Atlantic white-cedar swamp forest and pond pine woodland in the absence of fire, and may revert to these types following fire if the subsurface peat is not burned. Areas where peat is consumed by fire may serve as Pinus elliottii regeneration sites. If only a small amount of surface peat is removed, this community may be replaced by a wet flatwoods. If much of the surface layer is decreased, Baygalls will be invaded by willows and then change to a cypress-gum community. With recurrent fires, a shrub bog results (Clewell 1971, FNAI 1990).

In northeastern Florida, at the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve, dead and dying Persea palustris indicate that these loblolly-bay forests are being affected by laurel wilt, which is caused by a vascular wilt fungus that is transmitted to species in the Lauraceae family via. the non-native redbay ambrosia beetle (Xyleborus glabratus).