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CEGL004425 Acer rubrum var. trilobum - Nyssa sylvatica / Rhododendron canescens - Viburnum nudum var. nudum / Woodwardia areolata Seep Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Carolina Red Maple - Blackgum / Mountain Azalea - Possumhaw / Netted Chainfern Seep Forest
Colloquial Name: Interior Forested Acidic Seep
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This forested acidic seep occurs at the base of steep to moderate slopes where water percolates out through Cretaceous or Pennsylvanian sands and gravels. Stands are known primarily from Crowley''s Ridge of Arkansas and Missouri, the northern part of the Upper Coastal Plain of Kentucky and Tennessee, but it is also reported from Kentucky''s Shawnee Hills and along the Natchez Trace Parkway in Alabama. Soils are deep, and often gravelly or sandy. Common or characteristic trees include Acer rubrum, Betula nigra, Liquidambar styraciflua, Fagus grandifolia, Nyssa sylvatica, and Quercus pagoda. Small trees and shrubs characteristic of the seeps include Styrax americanus, Rhododendron canescens, Ilex opaca, Carpinus caroliniana, Photinia spp., Cornus foemina, Itea virginica, Viburnum nudum var. nudum, and Vaccinium spp. (including Vaccinium fuscatum). The ground cover consists of herbaceous species such as Osmunda cinnamomea, Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis, Woodwardia areolata, Thelypteris palustris var. pubescens, Carex spp., Juncus spp., Rhynchospora capitellata, Rhynchospora globularis, Saururus cernuus, Bartonia virginica, and many others. Some Tennessee examples contain Magnolia virginiana, which is rare in that state. This vegetation occurs at the heads of small streams or on the margins of their floodplains at the upland / wetland interface. Examples from the Shawnee Hills of Kentucky (subsections 222Dc, 222Dg) are reported to be somewhat depauperate, lacking Rhododendron canescens and Viburnum nudum.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This seep vegetation is distinct from the more Appalachian type, ~Acer rubrum var. trilobum - Nyssa sylvatica / Osmunda cinnamomea - Carex intumescens / Sphagnum lescurii Seep Forest (CEGL007443)$$, which occurs on streamhead swales on broad ridges where a perched water table is present. These communities are very limited in extent and are threatened by siltation resulting from upslope timber removal.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Common or characteristic trees in stands of this type include Acer rubrum, Betula nigra, Liquidambar styraciflua, Fagus grandifolia, Nyssa sylvatica, and Quercus pagoda. Small trees and shrubs characteristic of the seeps include Styrax americanus, Rhododendron canescens, Ilex opaca, Carpinus caroliniana, Photinia spp. (= Aronia spp.), Cornus foemina, Itea virginica, Viburnum nudum var. nudum, and Vaccinium spp. (including Vaccinium fuscatum). The ground cover consists of herbaceous species such as Osmunda cinnamomea, Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis, Woodwardia areolata, Thelypteris palustris var. pubescens, Carex spp., Juncus spp., Rhynchospora capitellata, Rhynchospora globularis, Saururus cernuus, Bartonia virginica, and many others. Some Tennessee examples contain Magnolia virginiana, which is rare in that state. Examples on Crowley''s Ridge in Arkansas are dominated by Acer rubrum, Liquidambar styraciflua, and Liriodendron tulipifera. Common understory woody plants include Alnus serrulata, Cornus foemina, Corylus americana, and Lindera benzoin. The substrate is densely to sporadically covered with sphagnum mosses (e.g., Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum magellanicum), ferns, sedges, and rushes (Vanderpool and Richards 1998). In Arkansas, Liriodendron tulipifera, Spiraea tomentosa, and Chelone glabra are only found on Crowley''s Ridge. Examples from the Shawnee Hills of Kentucky (subsections 222Dc, 222Dg) are reported to be somewhat depauperate, lacking Rhododendron canescens and Viburnum nudum.
At Shiloh National Military Park (western Tennessee) the canopy was dominated by Nyssa sylvatica with Liquidambar styraciflua, Liriodendron tulipifera, and Quercus pagoda also important. Quercus alba also occurs in the canopy. The subcanopy is dominated by Fagus grandifolia, Oxydendrum arboreum, and Carpinus caroliniana with Acer rubrum and Carya tomentosa (= Carya alba). The tall shrubs had 20% total cover. In order of abundance, they were Rhododendron canescens, Oxydendrum arboreum, Fagus grandifolia, and Vaccinium fuscatum. Short shrubs were sparse. In order of abundance, they were Quercus alba, Smilax rotundifolia, Decumaria barbara, Smilax glauca, Vitis rotundifolia, Sassafras albidum, Diospyros virginiana, Prunus serotina, Carya tomentosa, and the invasive exotic plants Ligustrum sinense and Lonicera japonica. The herbaceous layer was completely dominated by Thelypteris noveboracensis. Other common herbaceous plants were Uvularia sessilifolia, Chasmanthium sessiliflorum, Athyrium filix-femina ssp. asplenioides, Polygonum virginianum, Woodwardia areolata, Osmunda regalis, Leersia virginica, Carex debilis, Osmunda cinnamomea, and Maianthemum racemosum. Present only at trace amounts were Arisaema triphyllum, Bartonia paniculata, Carex tribuloides, Carex lurida, Dichanthelium dichotomum var. dichotomum, Solidago rugosa, Boehmeria cylindrica, Platanthera clavellata, Lycopus rubellus, and the invasive exotic grass Microstegium vimineum.
At Shiloh National Military Park (western Tennessee) the canopy was dominated by Nyssa sylvatica with Liquidambar styraciflua, Liriodendron tulipifera, and Quercus pagoda also important. Quercus alba also occurs in the canopy. The subcanopy is dominated by Fagus grandifolia, Oxydendrum arboreum, and Carpinus caroliniana with Acer rubrum and Carya tomentosa (= Carya alba). The tall shrubs had 20% total cover. In order of abundance, they were Rhododendron canescens, Oxydendrum arboreum, Fagus grandifolia, and Vaccinium fuscatum. Short shrubs were sparse. In order of abundance, they were Quercus alba, Smilax rotundifolia, Decumaria barbara, Smilax glauca, Vitis rotundifolia, Sassafras albidum, Diospyros virginiana, Prunus serotina, Carya tomentosa, and the invasive exotic plants Ligustrum sinense and Lonicera japonica. The herbaceous layer was completely dominated by Thelypteris noveboracensis. Other common herbaceous plants were Uvularia sessilifolia, Chasmanthium sessiliflorum, Athyrium filix-femina ssp. asplenioides, Polygonum virginianum, Woodwardia areolata, Osmunda regalis, Leersia virginica, Carex debilis, Osmunda cinnamomea, and Maianthemum racemosum. Present only at trace amounts were Arisaema triphyllum, Bartonia paniculata, Carex tribuloides, Carex lurida, Dichanthelium dichotomum var. dichotomum, Solidago rugosa, Boehmeria cylindrica, Platanthera clavellata, Lycopus rubellus, and the invasive exotic grass Microstegium vimineum.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This forested acidic seep occurs at the base of steep to moderate slopes where water percolates out through Cretaceous or Pennsylvanian sands and gravels. Stands are known primarily from Crowley''s Ridge of Arkansas and Missouri, the northern part of the Upper Coastal Plain of Kentucky and Tennessee, but it is also reported from Kentucky''s Shawnee Hills. Soils are deep, and often gravelly or sandy. This vegetation occurs at the heads of small streams or on the margins of their floodplains at the upland / wetland interface. Examples from the Shawnee Hills of Kentucky (subsections 222Dc, 222Dg) are reported to be somewhat depauperate. At Shiloh National Military Park (western Tennessee) this association occurs in a wet floodplain adjacent to a creek. Seepage from adjacent hillside maintains a moderately saturated condition, which is reflected in the flora.
Geographic Range: This forested acidic seep occurs in the southeastern United States. It is apparently restricted to Crowley''s Ridge of Arkansas and Missouri, the Upper East Gulf Coastal Plain of Kentucky and Tennessee and the adjacent Shawnee Hills of Kentucky. It is also reported from along the Natchez Trace Parkway in Alabama.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AL, AR, IL?, KY, MO, TN
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684165
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2G3
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.3 Temperate Flooded & Swamp Forest Formation | F026 | 1.B.3 |
| Division | 1.B.3.Na Eastern North American-Great Plains Flooded & Swamp Forest Division | D011 | 1.B.3.Na |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.3.Na.2 Pin Oak - Green Ash - Blackgum Swamp Forest Macrogroup | M503 | 1.B.3.Na.2 |
| Group | 1.B.3.Na.2.a Red Maple - Blackgum - Sweetgum Seepage Forest Group | G044 | 1.B.3.Na.2.a |
| Alliance | A3359 Red Maple - Blackgum Ozark-Interior Seepage Forest Alliance | A3359 | 1.B.3.Na.2.a |
| Association | CEGL004425 Carolina Red Maple - Blackgum / Mountain Azalea - Possumhaw / Netted Chainfern Seep Forest | CEGL004425 | 1.B.3.Na.2.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Acer rubrum var. trilobum - Nyssa sylvatica / Rhododendron canescens - Viburnum nudum var. nudum / Woodwardia areolata Forest (Faber-Langendoen 2001)
= Acid Seep (Crowley''s Ridge Variant) (Nelson 2005)
= Coastal Plain Forested Acid Seep (Evans 1991)
= Seep (Funk 1975)
= Seep (Funk and Fuller 1978)
= Acid Seep (Crowley''s Ridge Variant) (Nelson 2005)
= Coastal Plain Forested Acid Seep (Evans 1991)
= Seep (Funk 1975)
= Seep (Funk and Fuller 1978)
- Evans, M. 1991. Kentucky ecological communities. Draft report to the Kentucky Nature Preserves Commission. 19 pp.
- Evans, M., B. Yahn, and M. Hines. 2009. Natural communities of Kentucky 2009. Kentucky Nature Preserves Commission, Frankfort, KY. 22 pp.
- Faber-Langendoen, D., editor. 2001. Plant communities of the Midwest: Classification in an ecological context. Association for Biodiversity Information, Arlington, VA. 61 pp. plus appendix (705 pp.).
- Funk, V. A. 1975. A floristic and geologic survey of selected seeps in Calloway County, Kentucky. M.S. thesis, Murray State University, Murray, KY. 84 pp.
- Funk, V. A., and M. J. Fuller. 1978. A floristic survey of the seeps of Calloway County, Kentucky. Castanea 43:162-172.
- Nelson, P. 2005. The terrestrial natural communities of Missouri. Third edition. Missouri Natural Areas Committee, Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Conservation, Jefferson City, MO. 550 pp.
- Nelson, P. 2010. The terrestrial natural communities of Missouri. Revised edition. Missouri Natural Areas Committee, Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Conservation, Jefferson City.
- Nordman, C., M. Russo, and L. Smart. 2011. Vegetation types of the Natchez Trace Parkway, based on the U.S. National Vegetation Classification. NatureServe Central Databases (International Ecological Classification Standard: Terrestrial Ecological Classifications). Arlington, VA. Data current as of 11 April 2011. 548 pp.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
- Vanderpool, S. S., and E. L. Richards. 1998. A floristic inventory of three bogs on Crowley''s Ridge in northeast Arkansas. Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science 52:99-109. [http://dante.ddns.uark.edu/aas/authors.asp?letter=V]
- White, J., and M. Madany. 1978. Classification of natural communities in Illinois. Pages 311-405 in: Natural Areas Inventory technical report: Volume I, survey methods and results. Illinois Natural Areas Inventory, Urbana, IL.