Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: Johnson and Muller (1993a) provide vascular species composition and abundance data on this type. Ficus aurea and Sideroxylon foetidissimum are used as nominals to indicate maritime hammocks as they are much less common or absent in inland hammocks. These communities are distinguished from those on the southwestern coast by two frequently occurring trees, Guapira discolor and Exothea paniculata (Johnson and Muller 1993a). In addition, they are substantially richer floristically than southwestern coast hammocks. Other species occurring in eastern coast hammocks but not western coast examples include Nectandra coriacea, Amyris elemifera, Metopium toxiferum, Krugiodendron ferreum, Coccothrinax argentata, and Simarouba glauca. The very diverse canopy can be dominated or codominated by many species not included in the name, including Simarouba glauca, Coccoloba uvifera, Coccoloba diversifolia, Exothea paniculata, Sabal palmetto, and others. Other characteristic species include Guapira discolor, Nectandra coriacea (= Ocotea coriacea), Amyris elemifera, Metopium toxiferum, Krugiodendron ferreum, Coccothrinax argentata, Simarouba glauca, Chiococca alba, Ardisia escallonoides, Randia aculeata, Psychotria nervosa, Zanthoxylum fagara, Persea borbonia (in northern part of range), and Serenoa repens.

Dynamics:  The northern limit of this type is defined by cold tolerance of the tropical species. Maritime hammocks north of the range of this type are characterized by temperate species including Persea borbonia, Quercus virginiana, Magnolia grandiflora, and Juniperus virginiana var. silicicola (Johnson and Muller 1993a).