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CEGL004645 Nyssa biflora - Acer rubrum var. trilobum - Liriodendron tulipifera / Ilex coriacea - Lyonia lucida Swamp Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Swamp Tupelo - Carolina Red Maple - Tuliptree / Large Gallberry - Shining Fetterbush Swamp Forest
Colloquial Name: Sandhills Swamp Tupelo Hillside Seepage Forest
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This community occurs in the South Atlantic Coastal Plain, on steeply to gently sloping seepage areas on sandhill side slopes, and in headwater seepages. Nyssa biflora, Acer rubrum var. trilobum, and Liriodendron tulipifera typically dominate the canopy. Gordonia lasianthus, Magnolia virginiana, Oxydendrum arboreum, Quercus nigra, Pinus elliottii var. elliottii, and Pinus taeda can also occur. Subcanopy trees include Oxydendrum arboreum, Persea palustris, Ilex opaca, Magnolia virginiana, Magnolia grandiflora, and Gordonia lasianthus. The shrub layer is usually dense and evergreen, and is typically dominated by Ilex coriacea and Lyonia lucida. Herb diversity is low, but this stratum may include Carex atlantica, Carex intumescens, Chasmanthium laxum, Mayaca fluviatilis, Mitchella repens, Osmunda cinnamomea, Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis, Platanthera spp., Woodwardia areolata, and Sphagnum spp. This association is known from the Fall-line Sandhills region and the Outer Coastal Plain of Georgia and South Carolina.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Examples at Peachtree Rock TNC Preserve (Lexington County, South Carolina).
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Nyssa biflora, Acer rubrum var. trilobum, and Liriodendron tulipifera typically dominate the semi-open canopy of stands of this type. Gordonia lasianthus, Magnolia virginiana, Oxydendrum arboreum, Quercus nigra, Pinus elliottii var. elliottii, and Pinus taeda can also occur. Subcanopy trees include Oxydendrum arboreum, Persea palustris, Ilex opaca, Magnolia virginiana, Magnolia grandiflora, and Gordonia lasianthus. The shrub layer is usually dense and evergreen, typically dominated by Ilex coriacea and Lyonia lucida but can also include Ilex glabra, Morella caroliniensis (= Myrica heterophylla), Arundinaria tecta (= Arundinaria gigantea ssp. tecta), Smilax laurifolia, Leucothoe axillaris, Smilax smallii, Rhododendron flammeum, Aronia arbutifolia, Clethra alnifolia, Leucothoe axillaris, Vaccinium spp., Viburnum nudum, and Persea palustris. Due to the density of the evergreen shrubs, the herbaceous stratum is often not well developed except along margins. Herb diversity is low, but this stratum may include Carex atlantica, Carex intumescens, Chasmanthium laxum, Mayaca fluviatilis (= Mayaca aubletii), Mitchella repens, Osmunda cinnamomea, Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis, Platanthera spp., Woodwardia areolata, and Sphagnum spp.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This community occurs in the South Atlantic Coastal Plain and the Fall-line Sandhills region of Georgia and South Carolina, on steeply to gently sloping seepage areas on sandhill sideslopes and in headwater seepages. This saturated forest type is typically found in the longleaf pine matrix in sandhill situations as small, narrow patches along small intermittent streams. This is in contrast to ~Liriodendron tulipifera - Nyssa biflora - Magnolia virginiana / Toxicodendron vernix - Morella caroliniensis / Osmunda regalis Swamp Forest (CEGL004772)$$, which is a saturated forest that is also found in longleaf pine matrix woodland situations. It appears to be most common in areas that are more mesic than those seen in sandhill situations (for example along larger streams and creeks). Both of these are in contrast to ~Nyssa biflora - (Acer rubrum) / Ilex opaca / Leucothoe axillaris / Carex atlantica ssp. capillacea Swamp Forest (CEGL004427)$$, which is a saturated forest type that occurs in floodplain flats and along floodplain edges. This latter type is not saturated as a result of stream or river flooding, but rather due to seepage from adjacent sloping areas. This association may occur in these situations due to a difference in soil structure such as a subsurface clay layer that could lead to the saturated soil surface.
Geographic Range: This association is known from the outer South Atlantic Coastal Plain and the Fall-line Sandhills region of Georgia and South Carolina.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: GA, SC
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684504
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3
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.Nb Southeastern North American Flooded & Swamp Forest Division | D062 | 1.B.3.Nb |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.3.Nb.3 Sweetbay - Swamp Bay - Pond Pine Swamp Forest Macrogroup | M032 | 1.B.3.Nb.3 |
| Group | 1.B.3.Nb.3.a Sweetbay - Loblolly-bay - Pond Pine Swamp Forest Group | G037 | 1.B.3.Nb.3.a |
| Alliance | A0378 <i>Magnolia virginiana - Nyssa biflora - Quercus laurifolia</i> Southeast Swamp Forest Alliance | A0378 | 1.B.3.Nb.3.a |
| Association | CEGL004645 Swamp Tupelo - Carolina Red Maple - Tuliptree / Large Gallberry - Shining Fetterbush Swamp Forest | CEGL004645 | 1.B.3.Nb.3.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- GNHP [Georgia Natural Heritage Program]. 2018. Unpublished data. Georgia Natural Heritage Program, Wildlife Resources Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Social Circle.
- Nelson, J. B. 1986. The natural communities of South Carolina: Initial classification and description. South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department, Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, Columbia, SC. 55 pp.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.