Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: This woodland comprises an open to very open, typically somewhat stunted, Pinus palustris canopy averaging 16-20 m tall. The canopy cover ranges from 25-60%. The hardwood subcanopy, composed largely of Quercus incana and Quercus marilandica, is patchy and ranges in cover from 10-40%. Liquidambar styraciflua may occur in this stratum, especially in less xeric examples of this community. The tall-shrub stratum is strongly dominated by Ilex vomitoria and ranges from patches of scattered individuals to larger, dense patches (approximately 10-65% cover). Ilex vomitoria is the species with the highest cover in some examples of this community. Vaccinium arboreum, Vaccinium elliottii, Vaccinium stamineum, Vaccinium virgatum (= Vaccinium amoenum), and Morella cerifera (= Myrica cerifera) may occur in the shrub stratum. Herbs include Schizachyrium scoparium, Bigelowia nuttallii, Dichanthelium spp., Rhynchospora spp., Cladonia dimorphoclada, Scleria ciliata, Muhlenbergia expansa, Symphyotrichum dumosum (= Aster dumosus), Liatris elegans, Liatris acidota, Liatris pycnostachya, Pityopsis graminifolia var. graminifolia, and Oligoneuron nitidum (= Solidago nitida). Gelsemium sempervirens is known from the very sparse vine stratum (less than 10%) (Haywood and Thill 1995, L. Smith pers. comm. 1995).

There is some suggestion that stands of this type in Louisiana include Quercus incana; this needs to be confirmed. The ubiquitous Liquidambar styraciflua may be present but is thought to have been rare under natural conditions and in high-quality examples. Other shrub species may include Vaccinium elliottii, Vaccinium stamineum, Vaccinium virgatum (= Vaccinium amoenum), and Morella cerifera (= Myrica cerifera). It is unclear how much of the current shrub layer density is due to fire regimes; although frequently burned examples exist in eastern Texas, none have been under growing-season burning regimes. Other herbaceous species present in this type include Paspalum floridanum, Muhlenbergia expansa, Bigelowia nuttallii (rare, Louisiana only), Dichanthelium aciculare (= Dichanthelium angustifolium), Dichanthelium ovale var. addisonii, Tephrosia onobrychoides, Strophostyles umbellata, Stylosanthes biflora, Scleria ciliata, Symphyotrichum dumosum (= Aster dumosus), Ionactis linariifolius (= Aster linariifolius var. linariifolius), Symphyotrichum patens (= Aster patens), Eurybia hemispherica (= Aster hemisphericus), Helianthus angustifolius, Liatris elegans, Liatris acidota, Liatris pycnostachya, and Pycnanthemum albescens.

Soils of poorer, eroded sites on which much of this community occurs are without the sandy loam cap and consist primarily of clay loam; these poorer sites have a more open structure and an even lower species diversity. Fire suppression will lead to a denser cover of woody species.

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.

The historical fire frequency is estimated to be approximately 3 years. Although fire suppression will lead to an increased cover of woody species, it is not clear whether this community will succeed to a forest physiognomy given the severe edaphic conditions.