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CEGL007340 Platanus occidentalis - Liquidambar styraciflua / Carpinus caroliniana - Asimina triloba Floodplain Forest

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available


Common (Translated Scientific) Name: American Sycamore - Sweetgum / American Hornbeam - Pawpaw Floodplain Forest

Colloquial Name: Sycamore - Sweetgum Floodplain Forest

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This forest, dominated by Platanus occidentalis and Liquidambar styraciflua, occurs on small to medium-sized streams and on larger streams on active first bottoms and possibly on levees where flooding may be frequent but is of short duration. The community occurs in the Interior Low Plateau, the Cumberlands, Ridge and Valley, and adjacent provinces of Tennessee and Kentucky, and possibly Alabama and Georgia. Other trees present can include Acer rubrum, Liriodendron tulipifera, Quercus phellos, Celtis occidentalis, Juglans nigra, Fraxinus spp., and Ulmus spp. Other woody species common to this community include Carpinus caroliniana, Aesculus sylvatica, Cornus florida, Alnus serrulata, Fraxinus americana, Acer rubrum, Asimina triloba, Toxicodendron radicans, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Ulmus americana, Fagus grandifolia, and Euonymus americanus. In addition, Arundinaria gigantea may be present or even abundant. Herbaceous species that may be found include Arisaema triphyllum, Sanicula canadensis, Saururus cernuus, Campanula divaricata, Laportea canadensis, Salvia lyrata, Chasmanthium latifolium, Dichanthelium dichotomum var. dichotomum, Viola sororia, and Carex crinita. Because of repeated flooding, this community may remain on a site indefinitely. It develops from communities dominated by Salix spp. and Populus spp., and probably from others.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: The former Platanus occidentalis - (Liquidambar styraciflua, Acer rubrum) / (Carpinus caroliniana) / Onoclea sensibilis Forest (CEGL007701) was combined with this type (CEGL007340), broadening its range in the Cumberlands and Interior Low Plateau. Aesculus sylvatica does not occur in Kentucky. This association was originally conceived as having a more montane or upper piedmontane affinity. This type may be more likely in the upper/inner Piedmont (in contrast to ~Platanus occidentalis - Celtis laevigata - Fraxinus pennsylvanica / Ilex decidua / Carex retroflexa Floodplain Forest (CEGL007730)$$, which is more likely in the portions of the Piedmont closer to the Coastal Plain, e.g., the Oconee National Forest).

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available

Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: This forest is dominated by Platanus occidentalis, Liquidambar styraciflua, and sometimes Acer rubrum. Other canopy trees can include Liriodendron tulipifera, Quercus phellos, Celtis occidentalis, Juglans nigra, Fraxinus americana, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Ulmus americana, Fagus grandifolia, and Ulmus rubra. The subcanopy or tall-shrub layer may be dominated by Asimina triloba in some examples. Other woody species common to this community include Carpinus caroliniana, Aesculus sylvatica, Cornus florida, Alnus serrulata, Cercis canadensis, Lindera benzoin, Symphoricarpos orbiculatus, Smilax rotundifolia, Acer rubrum, Toxicodendron radicans, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, and Euonymus americanus. In addition, Arundinaria gigantea may be present or even abundant. Herbaceous species that may be found include Arisaema triphyllum, Sanicula canadensis, Onoclea sensibilis, Saururus cernuus, Campanula divaricata, Laportea canadensis, Salvia lyrata, Chasmanthium latifolium, Chasmanthium laxum, Dichanthelium dichotomum var. dichotomum, Dichanthelium scoparium, Viola sororia, and Carex crinita. Exotics commonly found in occurrences include Microstegium vimineum, Ligustrum sinense, Lonicera japonica, and Cardamine hirsuta.

Dynamics:  This is a Zone IV community with a likelihood of 51-100% of flooding with intermittent periodicity for 1-2 months (12.5-25% of total) of the growing season. Flooding usually occurs in late winter and spring. This vegetation may follow timber removal on active first bottoms and where flooding may be frequent and of long duration. It is apparently a stable community once established. It also develops from communities dominated by Salix spp., Populus spp., and probably others.

Environmental Description:  This forest occurs on small to medium-sized streams and on larger streams on active first bottoms and possibly on levees where flooding may be frequent but is of short duration. Because of repeated flooding, this community may remain on a site indefinitely. This is a Zone IV community with a likelihood of 51-100% of flooding with intermittent periodicity for 1-2 months (12.5-25% of total) of the growing season. Flooding usually occurs in late winter and spring. Common soil orders for this community include Entisols, Inceptisols and Alfisols, and soils are relatively fertile because of frequent sediment deposition. It develops from communities dominated by Salix spp., Populus spp., and probably others.

Geographic Range: The community occurs along small to medium-sized streams in the Southern Blue Ridge, Interior Low Plateau, Cumberlands, the Ridge and Valley, and adjacent provinces of Tennessee and Kentucky, probably South Carolina, and possibly Alabama and Georgia.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AL?, GA?, KY, SC?, TN




Confidence Level: Moderate

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available

Grank: G5

Greasons: No Data Available


Concept Lineage: CEGL007701 has been merged into this association (CEGL007340).

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available

Synonomy: ? IIA6f. "Interior" Small Stream Swamp Forest (Allard 1990)
< IIA7g. Sycamore - Sweetgum - American Elm Riverfront Forest (Allard 1990)
? Sycamore - Pecan - American Elm (25) (USFS 1988)
< Sycamore - Sweetgum - American Elm: 94 (Eyre 1980)

Concept Author(s): S. Landaal

Author of Description: S. Landaal, C.W. Nordman, G.P. Fleming, M. Pyne, M.P. Schafale

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 01-10-18

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