Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: This association has an open to very open, typically stunted Pinus palustris canopy above a very open hardwood subcanopy, composed largely of Quercus marilandica. This type tends to have an open, herbaceous-dominated understory in which shrubs occur only sporadically. The ground cover vegetation of this type includes Panicum virgatum, Panicum anceps (= var. rhizomatum), Schizachyrium scoparium var. divergens, Sporobolus junceus, Dichanthelium dichotomum var. ensifolium (= Dichanthelium ensifolium), and Paspalum setaceum. Shrubs are uncommon, at least in well-burned condition; the most abundant species appears to be Morella cerifera (= Myrica cerifera). Other herbaceous species present in this type include Asclepias verticillata, Eurybia hemispherica (= Aster hemisphericus), Chamaecrista fasciculata, Eryngium yuccifolium, Eupatorium hyssopifolium, Eupatorium semiserratum, Helianthus angustifolius, Tephrosia onobrychoides, Stylosanthes biflora, Liatris elegans, Liatris acidota, Liatris pycnostachya, and Pycnanthemum albescens.

Dynamics:  The combination of edaphic conditions (shrink-swell soil properties) and frequent fires are the most important factors maintaining the openness, and even stunted aspect to the overstory and woody vegetation in this type. Most known examples of this type in eastern Texas were heavily cut in the early 1900s and were reforested with Pinus elliottii (outside its natural range) by the Civilian Conservation Corps, unlike sandier areas of the region upon which they replanted Pinus palustris (Evans 1996). Possibly the most notable slash pine plantation created on such a site in eastern Texas is the Moore Plantation, which is now a Wildlife Management Area on the Sabine National Forest.