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CEGL007143 Tsuga canadensis - Liriodendron tulipifera - Platanus occidentalis / Rhododendron maximum - Xanthorhiza simplicissima Wet Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Eastern Hemlock - Tuliptree - American Sycamore / Great Laurel - Yellowroot Wet Forest
Colloquial Name: Southern Appalachian Small River Floodplain Forest
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association covers forested wetlands dominated by mesophytic species with an admixture of alluvial or wetland species, that occur on temporarily flooded alluvial flats and ravines in the Southern Blue Ridge, the Cumberlands, and in adjacent ecoregions. These dense forests usually occur over silty to sandy, acidic soils. The canopy is usually a mix of species that includes Tsuga canadensis, Liriodendron tulipifera, Platanus occidentalis, Betula lenta, Acer rubrum, and a variety of other mesophytic and upland species. It may range from strong dominance by Tsuga to its virtual absence. The shrub and herbaceous strata may be dense to open, but have components indicative of the temporarily flooded hydrology, thus separating this type from similar, non-wetland communities. Rhododendron maximum is a typical shrub and can form a dense subcanopy, but Xanthorhiza simplicissima, Alnus serrulata, or other species indicative of flooding are present. The herbaceous layer generally includes species indicative of flooding as well as mesophytic upland species.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association may be difficult to separate from similar non-wetland vegetation (e.g., ~Liriodendron tulipifera - Betula lenta - Tsuga canadensis / Rhododendron maximum Forest (CEGL007543)$$, ~Pinus strobus - Tsuga canadensis / Rhododendron maximum - (Leucothoe fontanesiana) Forest (CEGL007102)$$, and ~Tsuga canadensis / Rhododendron maximum - (Clethra acuminata, Leucothoe fontanesiana) Forest (CEGL007136)$$) and similar vegetation with saturated soils and longer hydroperiods (e.g., ~Tsuga canadensis - Acer rubrum - (Nyssa sylvatica) / Rhododendron maximum / Sphagnum spp. Seep Forest (CEGL007565)$$ and ~Tsuga canadensis / Rhododendron maximum / Sphagnum spp. Swamp Forest (CEGL006279)$$). The distinction from upland communities can be made based on the presence of multiple species indicative of flooding and alluvial processes, such as Platanus occidentalis, Xanthorhiza simplicissima, Boehmeria cylindrica, Carex torta, and a variety of other herbaceous species, even if these species rarely dominate. Because of flood dispersal of seeds, this association is likely to have combinations of species of fertile and infertile soils not found in related uplands. The saturated wetland communities with similar canopies are generally distinguished by an abundance of wetland ferns, sedges, Sphagnum spp., and other bryophytes, with a lack of the species characteristic of more fertile soils.
This association can also be difficult to distinguish from forests of larger floodplains, such as ~Platanus occidentalis - Liriodendron tulipifera - (Betula alleghaniensis) / Alnus serrulata - Leucothoe fontanesiana Floodplain Forest (CEGL004691)$$. Larger floodplain communities have a larger set of species characteristic of alluvial processes, with many that are rarely or never found in this association. These include Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Celtis laevigata, Juglans cinerea, Quercus imbricaria, Chasmanthium latifolium, and Elymus riparius.
This association can also be difficult to distinguish from forests of larger floodplains, such as ~Platanus occidentalis - Liriodendron tulipifera - (Betula alleghaniensis) / Alnus serrulata - Leucothoe fontanesiana Floodplain Forest (CEGL004691)$$. Larger floodplain communities have a larger set of species characteristic of alluvial processes, with many that are rarely or never found in this association. These include Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Celtis laevigata, Juglans cinerea, Quercus imbricaria, Chasmanthium latifolium, and Elymus riparius.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Stands of this forested alluvial association are dominated by combinations of Tsuga canadensis, Liriodendron tulipifera, Platanus occidentalis, Betula lenta, Acer rubrum, and Pinus strobus. Occasionally, Tsuga canadensis or Pinus strobus is strongly dominant. Other trees may include Fraxinus americana, Betula alleghaniensis, Quercus alba, Halesia tetraptera, Fagus grandifolia, and Liquidambar styraciflua. Carpinus caroliniana is the most common subcanopy tree. The shrub and herbaceous strata may be dense to open, but have components indicative of the temporarily flooded hydrology. Rhododendron maximum is a typical shrub and can form a dense thicket, or Leucothoe fontanesiana, Lindera benzoin, Hamamelis virginiana, or Kalmia latifolia may dominate. Xanthorhiza simplicissima, Alnus serrulata, or other species indicative of flooding are present. The herbaceous layer includes species indicative of flooding as well as mesophytic upland species. Dominant species include Amphicarpaea bracteata or Thelypteris noveboracensis, or may be a mixture of species of fertile mesophytic uplands. Occasionally, bryophyte cover is high.
In eastern Kentucky (Campbell 2001), stands may contain Acer rubrum and Liriodendron tulipifera. Other trees include Fagus grandifolia, Ilex opaca, Liquidambar styraciflua, Nyssa sylvatica, and Oxydendrum arboreum. Shrub cover may be low but contains patches of Rhododendron maximum, with scattered Alnus serrulata, Carpinus caroliniana, Clethra acuminata, Hamamelis virginiana, Leucothoe fontanesiana, and Kalmia latifolia. Ground cover may be sparse, with scattered patches of Carices (Carex gracilescens, Carex laxiculmis, Carex lucorum), Hexastylis arifolia, Medeola virginiana, Thelypteris noveboracensis, and others. Nearer to the stream channel, species such as Carex torta, Carex gynandra, Carex baileyi, Viola cucullata, and Xanthorhiza simplicissima may be more common. More disturbed parts of the stand may contain Betula spp., Magnolia spp., and local patches of Pinus strobus (Campbell 2001). In North Carolina, the herbaceous layer may include Arisaema triphyllum, Chamaelirium luteum, Cicuta maculata, Claytonia virginica, Glyceria melicaria, Polygonum punctatum, and Packera aurea (= Senecio aureus) (Schafale and Weakley 1990). More information is needed to adequately describe the rangewide features of this community and distinguish it from similar vegetation.
In eastern Kentucky (Campbell 2001), stands may contain Acer rubrum and Liriodendron tulipifera. Other trees include Fagus grandifolia, Ilex opaca, Liquidambar styraciflua, Nyssa sylvatica, and Oxydendrum arboreum. Shrub cover may be low but contains patches of Rhododendron maximum, with scattered Alnus serrulata, Carpinus caroliniana, Clethra acuminata, Hamamelis virginiana, Leucothoe fontanesiana, and Kalmia latifolia. Ground cover may be sparse, with scattered patches of Carices (Carex gracilescens, Carex laxiculmis, Carex lucorum), Hexastylis arifolia, Medeola virginiana, Thelypteris noveboracensis, and others. Nearer to the stream channel, species such as Carex torta, Carex gynandra, Carex baileyi, Viola cucullata, and Xanthorhiza simplicissima may be more common. More disturbed parts of the stand may contain Betula spp., Magnolia spp., and local patches of Pinus strobus (Campbell 2001). In North Carolina, the herbaceous layer may include Arisaema triphyllum, Chamaelirium luteum, Cicuta maculata, Claytonia virginica, Glyceria melicaria, Polygonum punctatum, and Packera aurea (= Senecio aureus) (Schafale and Weakley 1990). More information is needed to adequately describe the rangewide features of this community and distinguish it from similar vegetation.
Dynamics: These communities are subject to scouring by floods. Occasionally, flood damage is severe enough to return the community to an early-successional state, but more commonly it consists only of local scouring and sediment deposition.
Environmental Description: These dense forested alluvial wetlands occur on temporarily flooded alluvial flats and ravines along creeks and small rivers. These forests usually occur over silty or sandy, acidic soils. Forests may be eroded or disturbed by catastrophic floods, sometimes severe enough to return forests to an early-successional stage, but usually causing only local disturbance. The flood-carried sediments provide some nutrient inputs into the system. Beavers may create impoundments that may later form early-successional stands (Schafale and Weakley 1990).
Geographic Range: This community is known from the Southern Blue Ridge from southwestern Virginia, south to northern Georgia, ranging into the Cumberland Mountains of Kentucky, and possibly into the Ridge and Valley of Virginia.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: GA, KY, NC, SC, TN, VA?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685507
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3
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.Na Eastern North American-Great Plains Flooded & Swamp Forest Division | D011 | 1.B.3.Na |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.3.Na.1 Silver Maple - American Sycamore - Hackberry species Floodplain Forest Macrogroup | M029 | 1.B.3.Na.1 |
| Group | 1.B.3.Na.1.b <i>Acer saccharinum - Platanus occidentalis - Liquidambar styraciflua</i> Floodplain Forest Group | G673 | 1.B.3.Na.1.b |
| Alliance | A3702 American Sycamore - Sweetgum - Tuliptree Southern Appalachian Floodplain Forest Alliance | A3702 | 1.B.3.Na.1.b |
| Association | CEGL007143 Eastern Hemlock - Tuliptree - American Sycamore / Great Laurel - Yellowroot Wet Forest | CEGL007143 | 1.B.3.Na.1.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Hemlock Type (Schmalzer and DeSelm 1982)
= Hemlock-Tulip Tree Type (Schmalzer 1978)
< IIA6e. Southern Appalachian Alluvial Forest (Allard 1990)
= Hemlock-Tulip Tree Type (Schmalzer 1978)
< IIA6e. Southern Appalachian Alluvial Forest (Allard 1990)
- Allard, D. J. 1990. Southeastern United States ecological community classification. Interim report, Version 1.2. The Nature Conservancy, Southeast Regional Office, Chapel Hill, NC. 96 pp.
- Campbell, J. 2001. Native vegetation types of Appalachian Kentucky. Unpublished report. The Nature Conservancy, Lexington, KY. 210 pp.
- GNHP [Georgia Natural Heritage Program]. 2018. Unpublished data. Georgia Natural Heritage Program, Wildlife Resources Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Social Circle.
- Nelson, J. B. 1986. The natural communities of South Carolina: Initial classification and description. South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department, Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, Columbia, SC. 55 pp.
- Peet, R. K., T. R. Wentworth, M. P. Schafale, and A.S. Weakley. No date. Unpublished data of the North Carolina Vegetation Survey. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
- Schafale, M. P. 2012. Classification of the natural communities of North Carolina, 4th Approximation. North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh.
- Schafale, M. P., and A. S. Weakley. 1990. Classification of the natural communities of North Carolina. Third approximation. North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh. 325 pp.
- Schafale, Mike P. Personal communication. Ecologist, North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh.
- Schmalzer, P. A. 1978. Classification and analysis of forest communities in several coves of the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee. M.S. thesis, University of Tennessee, Knoxville. 24 pp.
- Schmalzer, P. A., and H. R. DeSelm. 1982. Vegetation, endangered and threatened plants, critical plant habitats and vascular flora of the Obed Wild and Scenic River. Unpublished report. USDI National Park Service, Obed Wild and Scenic River. 2 volumes. 369 pp.
- 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.