Print Report
CEGL007005 Casasia clusiifolia - Guapira discolor - Pithecellobium keyense - Metopium toxiferum Forest
Type Concept Sentence: These are diverse hammock forests of the Florida Keys, developed on storm-deposited shell hash of biogenic origin, consisting of limestone sand, shell, and calcareous algal fragments. The canopy and subcanopy are diverse, consisting most frequently of mixtures of Guapira discolor, Eugenia foetida, Metopium toxiferum, Pithecellobium keyense, Casasia clusiifolia, and many others, with frequent presence of shoreline shrubs and herbs.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Seven-year-apple - Blolly - Florida Keys Blackbead - Florida Poisontree Forest
Colloquial Name: Florida Keys Coastal Berm Tropical Hammock
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: These are diverse hammock forests of the Florida Keys, developed not on consolidated rock, but on storm-deposited shell hash of biogenic origin, consisting of limestone sand, shell, and calcareous algal fragments. They are variable in height, from 3 m or less on the coastal edge, to 8 m, but are most typically 5-7 m tall. The canopy and subcanopy are diverse, consisting most frequently of mixtures of Guapira discolor, Eugenia foetida, Metopium toxiferum, Pithecellobium keyense, Casasia clusiifolia, Suriana maritima, Conocarpus erectus, Bursera simaruba, Coccoloba uvifera, Eugenia axillaris, Coccothrinax argentata, Reynosia septentrionalis, Sideroxylon celastrinum, Piscidia piscipula, Erithalis fruticosa, and the exotic Casuarina equisetifolia. Frequent shorter shrubs and herbs include various species associated with coastal dunes and other shore-associated habitats: Lantana involucrata, Solanum bahamense, Hymenocallis latifolia, Lasiacis divaricata, Alternanthera maritima, Opuntia stricta, Sesuvium portulacastrum, Suaeda linearis. These forests can be distinguished from Rockland Hammocks [see ~Bursera simaruba - Coccoloba diversifolia - Eugenia axillaris Forest Alliance (A2030)$$] by the usual presence and abundance of species such as Casasia clusiifolia, Suriana maritima, and Guapira discolor, the frequent presence of shoreline shrubs and herbs [see above], the shoreline landscape position, and the unconsolidated substrate.
Diagnostic Characteristics: These forests can be distinguished from Rockland Hammocks [see ~Bursera simaruba - Coccoloba diversifolia - Eugenia axillaris Forest Alliance (A2030)$$] by the usual presence and abundance of species such as Casasia clusiifolia, Suriana maritima, and Guapira discolor, the frequent presence of shoreline shrubs and herbs, the shoreline landscape position, and the unconsolidated substrate.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Based on Kruer (1992). Similar communities may also occur in the West Indies.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Stands are variable in height, from 3 m or less on the coastal edge, to 8 m, but are most typically 5-7 m tall.
Floristics: Stands are variable in height, from 3 m or less on the coastal edge, to 8 m, but are most typically 5-7 m tall. The canopy and subcanopy are diverse, consisting most frequently of mixtures of Guapira discolor, Eugenia foetida, Metopium toxiferum, Pithecellobium keyense, Casasia clusiifolia, Suriana maritima, Conocarpus erectus, Bursera simaruba, Coccoloba uvifera, Eugenia axillaris, Coccothrinax argentata, Reynosia septentrionalis, Sideroxylon celastrinum (= Bumelia celastrina), Piscidia piscipula, Erithalis fruticosa, and the exotic Casuarina equisetifolia. Frequent shorter shrubs and herbs include various species associated with coastal dunes and other shore-associated habitats: Lantana involucrata, Solanum bahamense, Hymenocallis latifolia, Lasiacis divaricata, Alternanthera maritima, Opuntia stricta, Sesuvium portulacastrum, Suaeda linearis. These forests can be distinguished from Rockland Hammocks [see ~Bursera simaruba - Coccoloba diversifolia - Eugenia axillaris Forest Alliance (A2030)$$] by the usual presence and abundance of species such as Casasia clusiifolia, Suriana maritima, and Guapira discolor, the frequent presence of shoreline shrubs and herbs [see above], the shoreline landscape position, and the unconsolidated substrate.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: These diverse hammock forests of the Florida Keys develop not on consolidated rock, but on storm-deposited shell hash of biogenic origin, consisting of limestone sand, shell, and calcareous algal fragments.
Geographic Range: These diverse hammock forests occur in the Florida Keys.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: FL
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685717
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.A Tropical Forest & Woodland Subclass | S17 | 1.A |
| Formation | 1.A.1 Tropical Dry Forest & Woodland Formation | F003 | 1.A.1 |
| Division | 1.A.1.Ea Caribbean-Mesoamerican Dry Forest & Woodland Division | D099 | 1.A.1.Ea |
| Macrogroup | 1.A.1.Ea.2 Gumbo Limbo - Tie-tongue - Stopper species Caribbean Coastal Lowland Dry Forest Macrogroup | M134 | 1.A.1.Ea.2 |
| Group | 1.A.1.Ea.2.b Gumbo Limbo - Tie-tongue - White Stopper Forest Group | G765 | 1.A.1.Ea.2.b |
| Alliance | A2030 Gumbo Limbo - Tie-tongue - White Stopper Forest Alliance | A2030 | 1.A.1.Ea.2.b |
| Association | CEGL007005 Seven-year-apple - Blolly - Florida Keys Blackbead - Florida Poisontree Forest | CEGL007005 | 1.A.1.Ea.2.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Florida Keys Coastal Berm (Kruer 1992)
- FNAI [Florida Natural Areas Inventory]. 2010a. Guide to the natural communities of Florida: 2010 edition. Florida Natural Areas Inventory, Tallahassee, FL. 228 pp. [https://fnai.org/naturalcommguide.cfm]
- Kruer, C. R. 1992. An assessment of Florida''s remaining coastal and upland natural communities: Florida Keys. The Nature Conservancy, Florida Natural Areas Inventory, Tallahassee. 33 pp. plus appendices.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.