Print Report

CEGL004712 Nyssa aquatica / Cephalanthus occidentalis Pond Swamp Forest

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available


Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Water Tupelo / Common Buttonbush Pond Swamp Forest

Colloquial Name: Water Tupelo Sinkhole Pond Swamp Forest

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This water tupelo sinkhole pond type is found in the south-central midwestern United States, from southeastern Missouri and Arkansas to the Interior Low Plateau of southeastern middle Tennessee. Stands occur in sinkholes or other natural depressions associated with karst topography or terraces. Some examples are more-or-less permanently flooded, but water volumes can severely diminish in drought years. Tennessee examples may exhibit depths of up to a meter in winter and spring and can become virtually dry in the summer and fall. The tree canopy is variable, depending on water depth, ranging from 50-90% closure, at times forming a zone around an open pond. Nyssa aquatica is the major dominant, with occasional presence of Acer rubrum, and Quercus palustris. The shrub layer may contain Cephalanthus occidentalis, Itea virginica, Acer rubrum, and Nyssa biflora. Typical herbaceous species in Missouri examples include Carex decomposita, Triadenum walteri, Hottonia inflata, and Lemna minor. In Tennessee examples, herbaceous species are limited, but Carex joorii and Saccharum baldwinii may be present, particularly in more open areas around the depression perimeter.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This type is based on the Missouri state type Pond Swamp (Nelson 1985).

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

Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: The tree canopy is variable, depending on water depth, ranging from 50-90% closure, at times forming a zone around an open pond. Nyssa aquatica is the major dominant, with occasional presence of Acer rubrum, and Quercus palustris. The shrub layer may contain Cephalanthus occidentalis, Itea virginica, Acer rubrum, and Nyssa biflora. Typical herbaceous species in Missouri examples include Carex decomposita, Triadenum walteri, Hottonia inflata, and Lemna minor. In Tennessee examples, herbaceous species are limited, but Carex joorii and Saccharum baldwinii may be present, particularly in more open areas around the depression perimeter (Nelson 1985, TNC 1998a).

Dynamics:  No Data Available

Environmental Description:  Stands occur in sinkholes or other natural depressions associated with karst topography or terraces. Some examples are more-or-less permanently flooded, but water volumes can severely diminish in drought years. Tennessee examples may exhibit depths of up to a meter in winter and spring and can become virtually dry in the summer and fall (Nelson 1985, TNC 1998a).

Geographic Range: This water tupelo sinkhole pond type is found in the south-central midwestern United States, from southeastern Missouri and Arkansas to the Interior Low Plateau of southeastern middle Tennessee.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AL, AR?, MO, TN




Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available

Grank: G1?

Greasons: No Data Available


Concept Lineage: merged in

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available

Synonomy: = Nyssa aquatica / Cephalanthus occidentalis Pond Forest (Faber-Langendoen 2001)
= Nyssa aquatica / Cephalanthus occidentalis Pond Forest (TNC 1998a)
= Pond Swamp (Nelson 1985)

Concept Author(s): P.W. Nelson (1985)

Author of Description: M.J. Russo and D. Faber-Langendoen

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 03-23-00

  • ALNHP [Alabama Natural Heritage Program]. 2018. Unpublished data on file. Alabama Natural Heritage Program, Auburn University.
  • Faber-Langendoen, D., editor. 2001. Plant communities of the Midwest: Classification in an ecological context. Association for Biodiversity Information, Arlington, VA. 61 pp. plus appendix (705 pp.).
  • Nelson, P. 2010. The terrestrial natural communities of Missouri. Revised edition. Missouri Natural Areas Committee, Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Conservation, Jefferson City.
  • Nelson, P. W. 1985. The terrestrial natural communities of Missouri. Missouri Natural Areas Committee, Jefferson City. 197 pp. Revised edition, 1987.
  • Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
  • TDNH [Tennessee Division of Natural Heritage]. 2018. Unpublished data. Tennessee Division of Natural Heritage, Nashville, TN.
  • TNC [The Nature Conservancy]. 1998a. An investigation and assessment of the vegetation of Arnold Air Force Base. Coffee and Franklin counties, Tennessee. The Nature Conservancy, Tennessee Field Office, Nashville. 37 pp. plus appendices.