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CEGL007136 Tsuga canadensis / Rhododendron maximum - (Clethra acuminata, Leucothoe fontanesiana) Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Eastern Hemlock / Great Laurel - (Mountain Sweet-pepperbush, Highland Doghobble) Forest
Colloquial Name: Southern Appalachian Eastern Hemlock Forest (Typic Type)
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: These are forests of lower or protected slopes and terraces with Tsuga canadensis occurring over a dense to patchy shrub stratum of Rhododendron maximum. In the southern Appalachians, this forest occurs at elevations greater than 550 m (1800 feet). In Kentucky, disturbed areas may have abundant Betula lenta and Betula alleghaniensis in the subcanopy. Other canopy species of minor importance may include Liriodendron tulipifera, Tilia americana var. heterophylla, Pinus strobus, Betula lenta, Magnolia fraseri, Acer rubrum, and Fraxinus americana; these would total less than 25% of the canopy cover. In the Southern Blue Ridge, Leucothoe fontanesiana is often a shrub component and sometimes occurs densely. Other typical shrubs can include Ilex opaca, Clethra acuminata, and Kalmia latifolia. Herbs are sparse to moderate, depending on the shrub cover. Typical herbs include Chimaphila maculata, Goodyera pubescens, Medeola virginiana, Hexastylis shuttleworthii, Mitchella repens, Polystichum acrostichoides, Viola blanda, and Galax urceolata. Bryophyte cover is often dense. Stands in the southern Cumberlands of Kentucky and Tennessee would lack Leucothoe fontanesiana; instead, Clethra acuminata is a characteristic shrub of these stands.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: In Kentucky, this association occurs in the eastern part of the state (Appalachian plateaus, Cumberland Mountains).
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Forests with Tsuga canadensis occurring over a dense to patchy shrub stratum of Rhododendron maximum. Other canopy species of minor importance may include Liriodendron tulipifera, Tilia americana var. heterophylla, Pinus strobus, Betula lenta, Magnolia fraseri, Acer rubrum, and Fraxinus americana; these would total less than 25% of the canopy cover. Leucothoe fontanesiana is often a shrub component, and sometimes occurs densely. Other typical shrubs include Ilex opaca, Clethra acuminata, and Kalmia latifolia. Herbs are sparse to moderate, depending on the shrub cover. Typical herbs include Chimaphila maculata, Goodyera pubescens, Medeola virginiana, Hexastylis shuttleworthii, Mitchella repens, Polystichum acrostichoides, and Galax urceolata. Bryophyte cover is often dense. In Kentucky, disturbed areas may have abundant Betula lenta and Betula alleghaniensis in the subcanopy. Stands in the southern Cumberlands of Tennessee would lack Leucothoe fontanesiana.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Forests of lower or protected slopes and terraces with Tsuga canadensis occurring over a dense to patchy shrub stratum of Rhododendron maximum. In the southern Appalachians, this forest occurs at elevations greater than 550 m (1800 feet).
Geographic Range: This community is found in the Southern Appalachians, from North Carolina west into Kentucky.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: GA, KY, NC, SC, TN
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.686312
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3G4
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.2 Cool Temperate Forest & Woodland Formation | F008 | 1.B.2 |
| Division | 1.B.2.Na Eastern North American Forest & Woodland Division | D008 | 1.B.2.Na |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.2.Na.3 Appalachian-Interior-Northeastern Mesic Forest Macrogroup | M883 | 1.B.2.Na.3 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Na.3.a American Beech - Tuliptree - Yellow Buckeye Forest Group | G020 | 1.B.2.Na.3.a |
| Alliance | A3304 Eastern Hemlock - Tuliptree Forest Alliance | A3304 | 1.B.2.Na.3.a |
| Association | CEGL007136 Eastern Hemlock / Great Laurel - (Mountain Sweet-pepperbush, Highland Doghobble) Forest | CEGL007136 | 1.B.2.Na.3.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Eastern Hemlock: 23 (Eyre 1980)
= Hemlock Community (Caplenor 1965)
< IA5b. Southern Appalachian Hemlock Cove Forest (Allard 1990)
= Hemlock Community (Caplenor 1965)
< IA5b. Southern Appalachian Hemlock Cove Forest (Allard 1990)
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