Print Report
CEGL004685 Quercus shumardii - Fraxinus americana - Carya spp. / Juniperus virginiana Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Shumard Oak - White Ash - Hickory species / Eastern Red-cedar Forest
Colloquial Name: Gulf Coastal Plain Limestone Hardwood Forest
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This is a somewhat mesic, predominantly deciduous forest (with Juniperus frequent in some stands) found on a particular limestone substrate in the Outer Coastal Plain of Alabama. The vegetation is floristically distinctive for a site this far south in the Coastal Plain, as it is primarily an assemblage of more montane and northern species. The canopy of documented stands is somewhat open (60-75% closure) and is dominated by Quercus muehlenbergii, Quercus shumardii, Carya carolinae-septentrionalis, Carya glabra, and Fraxinus americana. Additional canopy species include Quercus austrina, Tilia americana var. caroliniana, and Pinus glabra (which is scattered on the lower slopes). The subcanopy contains Acer floridanum, Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana, Magnolia tripetala, Ostrya virginiana, Cercis canadensis, Cornus florida, Quercus austrina, Ulmus alata, Ulmus rubra, Morus rubra, and Celtis laevigata. Some shrubs, small trees, and woody vines include Callicarpa americana, Dirca palustris, Hydrangea quercifolia, Frangula caroliniana, Cornus alternifolia, Aesculus pavia, Berchemia scandens, and Crataegus triflora. Herbs include Actaea pachypoda, Asarum canadense, Cardamine concatenata, Hepatica nobilis var. acuta, Hybanthus concolor, Lithospermum tuberosum, Matelea baldwyniana, Oxalis violacea, Phlox divaricata, Spigelia marilandica, Trillium cuneatum, Viola walteri, Chasmanthium sessiliflorum, Melica mutica, Asplenium platyneuron, Pleopeltis polypodioides, and the rare Desmodium ochroleucum.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Examples known from southern Clarke County, Alabama. Extensive limestone outcrops occupy perhaps up to 50% of the substrate at the site where this community has been seen. More information is needed.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The canopy of stands of this association is somewhat open (60-75% closure) and contains Quercus muehlenbergii, Quercus shumardii, Quercus austrina, Fraxinus americana, Tilia americana var. caroliniana, Carya carolinae-septentrionalis, Carya glabra, and Pinus glabra (scattered on the lower slopes). Five species of Magnolia are well represented in the canopy or subcanopy, including Magnolia grandiflora, Magnolia pyramidata, Magnolia acuminata (= var. subcordata), Magnolia tripetala, and Magnolia macrophylla. The subcanopy contains Acer floridanum (= Acer barbatum), Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana, Ostrya virginiana (= var. virginiana), Cercis canadensis, Cornus florida, Quercus austrina, Ulmus alata, Ulmus rubra, Morus rubra, and Celtis laevigata. Some shrubs and small trees include Dirca palustris, Hydrangea quercifolia, Frangula caroliniana, Cornus alternifolia, Aesculus pavia, and Crataegus triflora. Fraxinus quadrangulata sporadically occurs; this site represents the southernmost location in Alabama and perhaps globally. Some typical herbs include Oxalis violacea, Viola walteri, Asplenium platyneuron, Spigelia marilandica, Melica mutica, and the rare Desmodium ochroleucum. Additional herbs include Phlox divaricata, Matelea baldwyniana, Hybanthus concolor, Trillium cuneatum, Cardamine concatenata, Lithospermum tuberosum, Asarum canadense, Hepatica nobilis var. acuta (= Hepatica acuta), and Actaea pachypoda (A. Schotz, ALNHP, pers. comm. 2001).
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This association has been documented from calcareous substrates in the Coastal Plain of Alabama (southern Clarke County), in particular the Paleocene Salt Mountain Limestone of the Wilcox Group (C. Oberholster pers. comm.). Extensive limestone outcrops occupy perhaps up to 50% of the substrate at the site where this community has been seen.
Geographic Range: This association has been documented from, and is apparently restricted to, calcareous substrates in the Coastal Plain of Alabama (southern Clarke County), in particular the Paleocene Salt Mountain Limestone of the Wilcox Group.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AL
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684117
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2?
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 1 Forest & Woodland Class | C01 | 1 |
| Subclass | 1.B Temperate & Boreal Forest & Woodland Subclass | S15 | 1.B |
| Formation | 1.B.1 Warm Temperate Forest & Woodland Formation | F018 | 1.B.1 |
| Division | 1.B.1.Na Southeastern North American Forest & Woodland Division | D006 | 1.B.1.Na |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.1.Na.3 American Beech - Southern Magnolia - White Oak Forest Macrogroup | M008 | 1.B.1.Na.3 |
| Group | 1.B.1.Na.3.b American Beech - Southern Sugar Maple - White Oak Forest Group | G166 | 1.B.1.Na.3.b |
| Alliance | A3235 Shumard Oak - Cherrybark Oak - White Ash Coastal Plain Forest Alliance | A3235 | 1.B.1.Na.3.b |
| Association | CEGL004685 Shumard Oak - White Ash - Hickory species / Eastern Red-cedar Forest | CEGL004685 | 1.B.1.Na.3.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- Oberholster, Chris. Personal communication. Ecologist. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Natural Heritage Section, Montgomery, AL.
- Oberholster, S. Personal communication. Forest Ecologist. USDA Forest Service, National Forests in Alabama. Montgomery, AL.
- Schotz, Al. Personal communication. Community Ecologist. Alabama Natural Heritage Program. Montgomery, AL.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.