Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: This open woodland seep association has a very open canopy containing Acer rubrum var. trilobum, Ilex opaca var. opaca, Oxydendrum arboreum, and Kalmia latifolia. Some areas lack a canopy and are dominated by shrubs or herbs. Species composition varies with shading, topographic position, geography, and soils. Shrubs include Alnus serrulata, Aronia melanocarpa, Ilex verticillata, and Itea virginica. Ferns and sedges are locally dominant and Sphagnum-dominated pockets are common with Sphagnum palustre typical. Herbs include Carex atlantica, Carex stricta, Carex bromoides ssp. bromoides, Carex leptalea, Chasmanthium laxum (on margins), Osmunda cinnamomea, Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis, Thelypteris noveboracensis, Woodwardia areolata, Lygodium palmatum, Scirpus cyperinus, Dichanthelium oligosanthes var. scribnerianum, Rhexia spp., Mimulus spp., Eutrochium fistulosum (= Eupatorium fistulosum), and Lycopodiella appressa. Other species known from these seeps include Platanthera cristata, Platanthera integrilabia, Platanthera ciliaris, Platanthera clavellata, Isoetes engelmannii, Xyris torta, Calopogon tuberosus, Calamagrostis coarctata (= Calamagrostis cinnoides), Sphenopholis pensylvanica, Vernonia noveboracensis, Hypericum crux-andreae, Bartonia virginica, and Rhynchospora globularis. Fire frequency, as well as tree-fall due to saturated soils, may play a role in keeping the canopy open. Some stands may contain Sphagnum palustre, which may form patches in the ground layer.

Dynamics:  Species composition of this association varies with shading, topographic position, geography, and soils. These seeps occupy very small areas (1-10 acres).