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CEGL007003 Bursera simaruba - Swietenia mahagoni - Lysiloma latisiliquum / Nectandra coriacea - Coccoloba diversifolia Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Gumbo Limbo - West Indian Mahogany - False Tamarind / Lancewood - Tie-tongue Forest
Colloquial Name: Inland Tropical Hardwood Hammock
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association represents south Florida inland hardwood hammocks which were apparently first studied by Harper (1927) and Davis (1943). Examples are dominated by a diverse mixture of hardwood species with tropical affinities; the exact composition varies locally between individual hammocks, and especially between hammocks in three discrete regions of Florida (the Keys, southeastern Big Cypress, and the Miami Rock Ridge). At least 10 or 12 species may occur in roughly equal proportions in the canopy, but the density of the species may be dramatically affected by the successional status of the hammock. Among the species which may be encountered are Bursera simaruba, Ficus aurea (more common in maritime hammocks), Swietenia mahagoni, Lysiloma latisiliquum, Chrysophyllum oliviforme, Acoelorraphe wrightii, Quercus virginiana, Quercus laurifolia, Sabal palmetto, Sideroxylon salicifolium, Simarouba glauca, Coccoloba diversifolia, Metopium toxiferum, Nectandra coriacea, and Sideroxylon foetidissimum (more common in maritime hammocks). Myrcianthes fragrans and Eugenia axillaris are typical understory species. Common shrubs are Schoepfia schreberi, Ardisia escallonoides, Tetrazygia bicolor, Randia aculeata, Erythrina herbacea, Rivina humilis, Psychotria tenuifolia, and Psychotria nervosa. Herbs and ferns include Anemia adiantifolia, Anemia wrightii, Nephrolepis exaltata, Thelypteris augescens, Oncidium floridanum, Habenaria odontopetala, and Campyloneurum phyllitidis. Epiphytes are abundant and diverse, and include Tillandsia utriculata, Tillandsia fasciculata, Tillandsia balbisiana, Tillandsia variabilis, Tillandsia setacea, Pleopeltis polypodioides ssp. michauxiana, Phlebodium aureum, Vittaria lineata, and Encyclia tampensis. Soils are shallow (less than 30 cm deep), and consist of litter and calcareous sand over limestone.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Ficus aurea was removed from the name as it is more indicative of maritime hammocks (Johnson and Muller 1993a). Given the current attributions, this type apparently covers hammocks of all inland hammock regions in south Florida. However, there is a wide range of variability between given patches or stands. If more data become available, other associations type may be warranted. Alexander (1958) provided data which document wide variation in hammocks between two regions of south Florida, in terms of species composition, frequency, and density. These data could provide the basis for recognizing finer association types. However, fairly dramatic density differences occurring with successional status, may confound such interpretations.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Stands are dominated by a diverse mixture of hardwood species with tropical affinities. At least 10 or 12 species may occur in roughly equal proportions in the canopy (Johnson and Muller 1993a). There may be local variation in species composition between individual hammocks, and especially in three discrete major inland regions: the Keys, southeastern Big Cypress, and the Miami Rock Ridge. For example, Alexander (1953) compared hammocks of the Pinecrest and Miami areas and found over 10 species in each area that were not present in the other. Regardless of location, nearly all of the component species are of West Indian affiliation, with the exception of Quercus virginiana, Quercus laurifolia, Morus rubra, and Celtis laevigata. Among the species which may be encountered are Bursera simaruba, Ficus aurea (more common in maritime hammocks), Swietenia mahagoni, Lysiloma latisiliquum, Chrysophyllum oliviforme, Acoelorraphe wrightii, Quercus virginiana, Quercus laurifolia, Sabal palmetto, Sideroxylon salicifolium, Simarouba glauca, Coccoloba diversifolia, Metopium toxiferum, Nectandra coriacea (= Ocotea coriacea), and Sideroxylon foetidissimum (more common in maritime hammocks). Myrcianthes fragrans and Eugenia axillaris are typical understory species. Common shrubs are Schoepfia schreberi, Ardisia escallonoides, Tetrazygia bicolor, Randia aculeata, Erythrina herbacea, Rivina humilis, Psychotria tenuifolia (= Psychotria sulzneri), and Psychotria nervosa. Herbs and ferns include Anemia adiantifolia, Anemia wrightii, Nephrolepis exaltata, Thelypteris augescens, Oncidium floridanum, Habenaria odontopetala, and Campyloneurum phyllitidis. Epiphytes are abundant and diverse and include Tillandsia utriculata, Tillandsia fasciculata, Tillandsia balbisiana, Tillandsia variabilis, Tillandsia setacea, Pleopeltis polypodioides ssp. michauxiana, Phlebodium aureum, Vittaria lineata, and Encyclia tampensis. The exotic Pteris vittata may be present.
Dynamics: These forests tend to have a dense canopy that produces deeper shade, less evaporation, and lower maximum air temperatures than surrounding vegetation (Armentano pers. comm.). This microclimate, in combination with high water tables, tends to keep humidity levels high and the community quite mesic (FNAI 1990). A number of orchid and bromeliad species thrive in such conditions. Unlike most coastal plain systems, fire is a major threat to South Florida Hardwood Hammocks. Alexander (1953) documented the apparent replacement of pineland by hardwood hammock on Key Largo, Florida. In addition, Alexander (1967) showed a similar replacement process over a 25-year period southwest of Miami.
Environmental Description: Hardwood hammocks are usually found in areas protected from fires, such as the leeward side of exposed limestone (Robertson 1953), on elevated outcrops above marshes or scrub cypress, and sometimes along mangrove swamps (Alexander 1953). Generally, soils are highly organic with uneven and widely ranging thickness (Snyder et al. 1990). However, inland tropical hammocks occur in three discrete regions of south Florida, each with somewhat different underlying geology and soils. Soils often consist of a organic loam; mahogany hammocks as a subtype occur on marl soils over limestone; Acoelorraphe is generally found on hydromorphic peat (T. Armentano pers. comm.). If more information becomes available which documents the floristic and/or ecological differences between stands in these areas, this type may be subdivided accordingly.
Geographic Range: This type is restricted to southern Florida. It is apparently endemic to southern tropical Florida.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: FL
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684918
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G1G2
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 1 Forest & Woodland Class | C01 | 1 |
| Subclass | 1.A Tropical Forest & Woodland Subclass | S17 | 1.A |
| Formation | 1.A.1 Tropical Dry Forest & Woodland Formation | F003 | 1.A.1 |
| Division | 1.A.1.Ea Caribbean-Mesoamerican Dry Forest & Woodland Division | D099 | 1.A.1.Ea |
| Macrogroup | 1.A.1.Ea.2 Gumbo Limbo - Tie-tongue - Stopper species Caribbean Coastal Lowland Dry Forest Macrogroup | M134 | 1.A.1.Ea.2 |
| Group | 1.A.1.Ea.2.b Gumbo Limbo - Tie-tongue - White Stopper Forest Group | G765 | 1.A.1.Ea.2.b |
| Alliance | A2030 Gumbo Limbo - Tie-tongue - White Stopper Forest Alliance | A2030 | 1.A.1.Ea.2.b |
| Association | CEGL007003 Gumbo Limbo - West Indian Mahogany - False Tamarind / Lancewood - Tie-tongue Forest | CEGL007003 | 1.A.1.Ea.2.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Coral Rock Jungle Hammock (Davis 1943)
< South Florida Rockland (Snyder et al. 1990)
= Tropical Hammock (Alexander 1967)
< South Florida Rockland (Snyder et al. 1990)
= Tropical Hammock (Alexander 1967)
- Alexander, T. R. 1953. Plant succession on Key Largo, Florida, involving Pinus caribaea and Quercus virginiana. Quarterly Journal of the Florida Academy of Science 16:133-138.
- Alexander, T. R. 1967. A tropical hammock on the Miami (Florida) limestone--A twenty-five-year study. Ecology 48:863-867.
- Armentano, Tom. Personal communication. National Park Service, Everglades National Park, Homestead, FL.
- Davis, J. H., Jr. 1943. The natural features of southern Florida, especially the vegetation, and the Everglades. Florida Department of Conservation, Geologic Survey. Geologic Bulletin No. 25. Tallahassee, FL.
- FNAI [Florida Natural Areas Inventory]. 2010a. Guide to the natural communities of Florida: 2010 edition. Florida Natural Areas Inventory, Tallahassee, FL. 228 pp. [https://fnai.org/naturalcommguide.cfm]
- Harper, R. M. 1927. Natural resources of southern Florida. Pages 27-206 in: 18th Annual Report. Florida Geologic Survey, Tallahassee.
- Johnson, A. F., and J. W. Muller. 1993a. An assessment of Florida''s remaining coastal upland natural communities: Final summary report. The Nature Conservancy, Florida Natural Areas Inventory, Tallahassee. 37 pp.
- Robertson, W. B. 1953. A survey of the effects of fire in Everglades National Park. Unpublished report. Everglades National Park, FL. 169 pp.
- Snyder, J. R., A. Herndon, and W. B. Robertson, Jr. 1990. South Florida rockland. Pages 230-277 in: R. L. Myers and J. J. Ewel, editors. Ecosystems of Florida. University of Central Florida Press, Orlando.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.