Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Swamp Chestnut Oak - Water Oak - Loblolly Pine / American Hornbeam Floodplain Forest

Colloquial Name: West Gulf Coastal Plain Swamp Chestnut Oak Small Stream Bottomland Forest

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This is an association that was once prevalent along intermediate streams throughout much of the West Gulf Coastal Plain of west-central Louisiana within the range of Magnolia grandiflora. Typical canopy species include Quercus michauxii, Quercus nigra, Pinus taeda, Magnolia grandiflora, Quercus pagoda, Magnolia virginiana, Acer rubrum, and Quercus laurifolia. Taxodium distichum and Nyssa aquatica are present in depressional inclusions in the floodplain. The midstory is dominated by Carpinus caroliniana. Toxicodendron radicans is a common woody vine. Herb layer species include numerous Carex spp., Cardamine bulbosa, Rudbeckia laciniata var. laciniata, Phanopyrum gymnocarpon, and Solidago patula var. strictula. This type occurs in the floodplains of small to intermediate streams on acidic silty to sandy substrates, in the West Gulf Coastal Plain of central Louisiana. Characteristic examples occur on Loving Creek (Rapides Parish, Louisiana).

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This association is related to ~Quercus pagoda - Liquidambar styraciflua - Pinus taeda Floodplain Forest (CEGL007899)$$, and they may be difficult to differentiate. Additional information and assessment are needed. Both this association and ~Quercus pagoda - Liquidambar styraciflua - Pinus taeda Floodplain Forest (CEGL007899)$$ represent the intermediate ("wettest") stream forests that arise along the lower reaches of drainages. The theoretical difference between them is that this association occurs within the range of Magnolia grandiflora and CEGL007899 occurs primarily outside the range of Magnolia grandiflora. They are both closely related to small stream forest ("drier") counterparts in their respective areas, ~Magnolia grandiflora - Fagus grandifolia - Quercus alba - Pinus taeda Forest (CEGL007903)$$ and ~Fagus grandifolia - Pinus taeda - (Liquidambar styraciflua, Magnolia grandiflora, Quercus alba) Small Stream Forest (CEGL007320)$$. The lower-stream-reach forests have a longer hydroperiod and are wetter than the downstream types. The upstream counterpart to this association is ~Magnolia grandiflora - Fagus grandifolia - Quercus alba - Pinus taeda Forest (CEGL007903)$$.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available

note: No Data Available