Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: Quercus virginiana occurs naturally in limited areas along the Outer Coastal Plain where it is not commonly documented from floodplain habitats (Harms 1990). Within this region, the actual range is further narrowed by its natural distribution (which is confined to the outermost portions of the Coastal Plain) (Harms 1990) and further by its floodplain habitat. This type has been attributed to Osceola National Forest (NatureServe Ecology unpubl. data) where the vegetation is described as follows. The canopy is codominated by Quercus virginiana and Pinus taeda or Quercus nigra. Other canopy species are Acer rubrum, Betula nigra, Quercus laurifolia, and Liquidambar styraciflua. Subcanopy trees include Betula nigra, Liquidambar styraciflua, Quercus laurifolia, Acer rubrum, Quercus virginiana, Quercus nigra, Diospyros virginiana, and Nyssa biflora. The shrub layer is dominated by Serenoa repens, many of which have trunks growing 1 m (3-4 feet) high. Other shrubs are at low cover values; these include Asimina parviflora, Vaccinium elliottii, Cyrilla racemiflora, Cephalanthus occidentalis, Ditrysinia fruticosa (= Sebastiania fruticosa), Diospyros virginiana, Ilex opaca, and Vaccinium corymbosum. Vines include Smilax rotundifolia and Smilax walteri. Epiphytes present are Tillandsia usneoides, Tillandsia bartramii, and Pleopeltis polypodioides ssp. michauxiana (= Polypodium polypodioides var. michauxianum). Mitchella repens is the only herbaceous species documented; it was only trace.

Dynamics:  These forests are prone to flooding, particularly severe flooding after hurricanes.