Print Report

CEGL005033 Acer negundo Ruderal Floodplain Forest

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Box-elder Ruderal Floodplain Forest

Colloquial Name: Ruderal Box-elder Floodplain Forest

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This semi-open to closed-canopy ruderal forest is found on disturbed sites in floodplains in the southern, eastern, and midwestern United States. Stands occur on large rivers in the active floodplain and on sandbars, and may form farther from the riverfront following disturbance. Occurrences are mostly on higher floodplain terraces with less rocky soils which were used for agriculture or habitation. They are typically temporarily flooded in the spring. These ruderal forests are dominated by Acer negundo. Other characteristic species include Platanus occidentalis, Celtis laevigata, Acer rubrum, Liriodendron tulipifera, Robinia pseudoacacia, Liquidambar styraciflua, Acer saccharinum, Ulmus alata, Ulmus rubra, Carya cordiformis, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Juglans nigra, Carpinus caroliniana, Morus rubra, and Populus deltoides. The shrub and herb layers range from sparse to relatively lush, and the vine component often is heavy. The herb layer consists of a mixture of weedy exotics and native floodplain species, including Rhamnus cathartica and various invasive Lonicera species.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: The range, dynamics, and variability of this type is complicated by the "weedy" nature of Acer negundo. For example, disturbed stands in former Fraxinus pennsylvanica - Ulmus americana - Celtis (occidentalis, laevigata) Temporarily Flooded Forest Alliance (A.286) often become dominated by Acer negundo. And in the upper Midwest Acer negundo-dominated stands are treated as part of ~Fraxinus pennsylvanica - (Ulmus americana) / Symphoricarpos occidentalis Floodplain Forest (CEGL002088)$$. Thus, some consistency is needed in the application of this type across its range. In Arkansas, these forests can be pure Acer negundo or have Acer rubrum and Platanus occidentalis as associates (T. Foti pers. comm. 1999). Composition is variable. Where Acer negundo occurs in natural habitats in the Southeast, it should be placed in ~Acer negundo - (Platanus occidentalis, Populus deltoides) Floodplain Forest (CEGL004690)$$, e.g., along the Arkansas River in Arkansas (D. Zollner pers. comm. 1999). In Missouri, natural stands would probably be combined with ~Betula nigra - Platanus occidentalis Floodplain Forest (CEGL002086)$$ (M. Leahy pers. comm. 1999). In Kentucky, this may be found at the Licking River impoundment (Cave Run Lake).

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: These ruderal forests (sometimes woodlands) are dominated by Acer negundo. Other characteristic species include Platanus occidentalis, Celtis laevigata, Acer rubrum, Liriodendron tulipifera, Robinia pseudoacacia, Liquidambar styraciflua, Acer saccharinum, Ulmus alata, Ulmus rubra, Carya cordiformis, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Juglans nigra, Carpinus caroliniana, Morus rubra, and Populus deltoides. The shrub and herb layers range from sparse to relatively lush, and the vine component often is heavy. Lindera benzoin may be dominant in the shrub layer. The herb layer consists of a mixture of weedy exotics and native floodplain species, including Ageratina altissima, Alliaria petiolata, Boehmeria cylindrica, Carex grayi, Cryptotaenia canadensis, Glechoma hederacea, Lysimachia nummularia, Mertensia virginica, Polygonum virginianum, Prunella vulgaris, Urtica dioica ssp. dioica, and Verbesina alternifolia. The range, dynamics, and variability of this type are complicated by the "weedy" nature of Acer negundo, e.g., in Kentucky, Acer negundo may be dominant in old fields, with Dichanthelium clandestinum and Carex spp. in the ground layer. Elsewhere in the Midwest, logged and grazed stands of Fraxinus pennsylvanica and Ulmus americana may be dominated by Acer negundo.

Dynamics:  This type is a ruderal, early-successional community that arises from cultural disturbances on floodplains. Stands in natural habitats where occasional flash floods create extensive open alluvial deposits are treated as ~Acer negundo - (Platanus occidentalis, Populus deltoides) Floodplain Forest (CEGL004690)$$.
Environmental Description:  Stands of this box-elder forest occur on disturbed sites in large rivers in the active floodplain and on sandbars, and may form farther from the riverfront following disturbance. Occurrences are mostly on higher floodplain terraces with less rocky soils which were used for agriculture or habitation. They are typically temporarily flooded in the spring and have sandy soils. In Kentucky, these forests may also occur in old fields within floodplains.
Geographic Range: This Acer negundo ruderal floodplain forest is found sporadically on floodplains in the southern, eastern, and midwestern United States, ranging from New York and New Jersey west to Iowa (and possibly southeastern South Dakota), south to Louisiana and possibly Texas, and east to Georgia. It occurs in the Piedmont region in Pennsylvania and in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont regions in New Jersey and Delaware.

Nations: CA?,US

States/Provinces:  AL, AR, DC, DE, GA, IA, KY, LA, MD, MN, MO, MS, NJ, NY, OK, PA, QC?, SC, SD?, TN, TX?, VA, WV


Confidence Level: Moderate

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNA

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.90 Red Maple - Box-elder - American Sycamore Eastern North American Ruderal Flooded & Swamp Forest Macrogroup M302 1.B.3.Na.90
Group 1.B.3.Na.90.a Red Maple - Green Ash - Box-elder Ruderal Flooded & Swamp Forest Group G552 1.B.3.Na.90.a
Alliance A4099 Box-elder - River Birch / Garlic Mustard Ruderal Floodplain Forest Alliance A4099 1.B.3.Na.90.a
Association CEGL005033 Box-elder Ruderal Floodplain Forest CEGL005033 1.B.3.Na.90.a
Concept Lineage: consolidated

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Acer negundo Forest (Faber-Langendoen 2001)
= Acer negundo riparian woodland (Vanderhorst 2001b)
Concept Author(s): Midwestern Ecology Group

Author of Description: E. Largay, S.C. Gawler, D. Faber-Langendoen

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 03-28-14
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