Print Report
CEGL007725 Taxodium ascendens / Hypericum chapmanii / Rhynchospora harperi Swamp Dwarf Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Pond-cypress / Apalachicola St. John''s-wort / Harper''s Beaksedge Swamp Dwarf Woodland
Colloquial Name: West Florida Coat-Rack Pond-cypress Savanna
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This dwarf pond-cypress savanna is a highly unusual association, which is dominated by a rather open, essentially monospecific canopy of dwarfed Taxodium ascendens. A shrub layer (typically below 1.5 m. in height) is dominated by Hypericum chapmanii with Ilex myrtifolia, Cliftonia monophylla, Cyrilla racemiflora, and Stillingia aquatica. The herbaceous stratum is dominated by Rhynchospora harperi and is more prominent and dense than the shrubs. Other forbs noted include Eriocaulon compressum, Xyris stricta, Sabatia bartramii, Scleria baldwinii, Aristida spp., Hypericum sp., Rhexia sp., Lycopodiella alopecuroides, and Pinguicula planifolia. Numerous epiphytes on the Taxodium ascendens include Epidendrum magnoliae, Pieris phillyreifolia, Osmanthus americanus, Ilex glabra, Asplenium platyneuron, Thelypteris kunthii, and foliose or fruticose lichens. These dwarf pond-cypress savannas are apparently endemic to Franklin County, Florida, and the result of a rather unique geologic setting and the interrelationship of edaphic, hydrologic, and fire-regime factors.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Rhynchospora harperi is also present in some cypress ponds but is not so typical of them, and it appears to be abundant in this elfin woodland type. The trees are typically less than 2.5 m (7.5 feet) tall, and many are under 2 m (6 feet) and are twisted, gnarled, with branches at right angles to the trunk. Two local names for this vegetation are "coat rack cypress" and "coon cypress." The name of the swamp and of the soil series is "Bonsai," due to the unusual stature and morphology of the trees.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Stands are dominated by a rather open, essentially monospecific canopy of dwarfed Taxodium ascendens. A shrub layer (typically below 1.5 m. in height) is dominated by Hypericum chapmanii with Ilex myrtifolia, Cliftonia monophylla, Cyrilla racemiflora, and Stillingia aquatica. The herbaceous stratum is dominated by Rhynchospora harperi and is more prominent and dense than the shrubs. Other forbs noted include Eriocaulon compressum, Xyris stricta, Sabatia bartramii, Scleria baldwinii, Aristida spp., Hypericum sp., Rhexia sp., Lycopodiella alopecuroides, and Pinguicula planifolia. Numerous epiphytes on the Taxodium ascendens include Epidendrum magnoliae (= Epidendrum conopseum), Pieris phillyreifolia, Osmanthus americanus, Ilex glabra, Asplenium platyneuron, Thelypteris kunthii, and foliose or fruticose lichens.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Soil at the site is mapped as the Bonsai Mucky Fine Sand, which is apparently restricted to Franklin County, Florida. The seasonal high water table is at or slightly above the soil surface for 2-4 months in most years, and within 20 inches of the surface for the remainder of most years.
Geographic Range: This association is apparently endemic to Franklin County, Florida.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: FL
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685447
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G1
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 1 Forest & Woodland Class | C01 | 1 |
| Subclass | 1.B Temperate & Boreal Forest & Woodland Subclass | S15 | 1.B |
| Formation | 1.B.3 Temperate Flooded & Swamp Forest Formation | F026 | 1.B.3 |
| Division | 1.B.3.Nb Southeastern North American Flooded & Swamp Forest Division | D062 | 1.B.3.Nb |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.3.Nb.1 Pond-cypress - Slash Pine Swamp Macrogroup | M161 | 1.B.3.Nb.1 |
| Group | 1.B.3.Nb.1.a Pond-cypress / Holly species Basin Swamp Group | G036 | 1.B.3.Nb.1.a |
| Alliance | A3340 Pond-cypress / Swamp Titi Swamp Forest Alliance | A3340 | 1.B.3.Nb.1.a |
| Association | CEGL007725 Pond-cypress / Apalachicola St. John''s-wort / Harper''s Beaksedge Swamp Dwarf Woodland | CEGL007725 | 1.B.3.Nb.1.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Pond-Cypress Habitats (strands) (Clewell 1986)
- Clewell, A. F. 1986. Natural setting and vegetation of the Florida panhandle. COESAM/PDEI-86/001. U.S. Army Corps Engineers, Mobile, AL. 773 pp.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.