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CEGL007711 Tilia americana var. heterophylla - Fraxinus americana / Sanguinaria canadensis - (Aquilegia canadensis, Asplenium rhizophyllum) Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Appalachian Basswood - White Ash / Bloodroot - (Red Columbine, Walking Fern) Forest
Colloquial Name: Southern Appalachian Cove Forest (Rich Foothills Type)
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: These are forests of steep, protected coves and slopes at the lower elevations (below 610 m [2000 feet]) of the Southern Appalachians and upper Piedmont, containing a significant component of species associated with high-base status substrates. They share species in common with other Southern Appalachian cove forests, but are distinguished by occurring at relatively low elevations ((305-760 m [1000-2500 feet])) and by the presence of strongly calciphilic species such as Asplenium rhizophyllum, Aquilegia canadensis, Cystopteris protrusa, Diplazium pycnocarpon, Trillium simile, Trillium discolor, and Collinsonia verticillata. Common canopy species include Tilia americana var. heterophylla, Liriodendron tulipifera, Fraxinus americana, Quercus rubra, and Aesculus flava. Other species in the canopy and subcanopy include Ulmus rubra, Juglans nigra, Betula lenta, Carya cordiformis, Halesia tetraptera, and Cornus florida. Acer saccharum is generally not a constant component in these forests. The shrub stratum can be diverse, but the coverage is often quite sparse. Typical shrubs include Hydrangea arborescens, Lindera benzoin, Calycanthus floridus, Philadelphus hirsutus, Philadelphus inodorus, and Rhododendron maximum. The herbaceous stratum is dense, lush, and diverse. Some of the more characteristic species include Sanguinaria canadensis, Cystopteris protrusa, Viola canadensis, Caulophyllum thalictroides, Hydrophyllum canadense, Trillium cuneatum, Asplenium rhizophyllum, Dicentra cucullaria, Tradescantia subaspera, Asarum canadense, Carex plantaginea, Hybanthus concolor, Trillium simile, Aquilegia canadensis, Carex austrocaroliniana, Deparia acrostichoides, Diplazium pycnocarpon, Trillium rugelii, and Trillium luteum.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: These forests are distinguished by occurring at relatively low elevations ((305-760 m [1000-2500 feet])) and by the presence of strongly calciphilic species such as Asplenium rhizophyllum, Aquilegia canadensis, Cystopteris protrusa, Diplazium pycnocarpon, Trillium simile, Trillium discolor, and Collinsonia verticillata. Deciduous cove forests are perhaps the most complex group of communities to classify in the Southern Blue Ridge, due to a combination of wide environmental range, high species richness, and high biogeographic variability. The recognition of associations based on fertility and elevation is provisional and will likely need further refinement.
In a regional Southern Appalachian analysis (1134 plots) for the Appalachian Trail project, only seven plots from the low-elevation peripheries of the Southern Blue Ridge were classified as this association (Fleming and Patterson 2009a); however, none of the plots actually fall within the managed Appalachian Trail corridor. This group is associated with soils of exceptionally high pH, calcium, and magnesium compared to soils of other Southern Blue Ridge types. The most diagnostic species (relative to similar types) are Carex plantaginea, Cystopteris protrusa, Diplazium pycnocarpon, Hepatica nobilis var. acuta, and Acer nigrum.
In a regional Southern Appalachian analysis (1134 plots) for the Appalachian Trail project, only seven plots from the low-elevation peripheries of the Southern Blue Ridge were classified as this association (Fleming and Patterson 2009a); however, none of the plots actually fall within the managed Appalachian Trail corridor. This group is associated with soils of exceptionally high pH, calcium, and magnesium compared to soils of other Southern Blue Ridge types. The most diagnostic species (relative to similar types) are Carex plantaginea, Cystopteris protrusa, Diplazium pycnocarpon, Hepatica nobilis var. acuta, and Acer nigrum.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Common canopy species in stands of this type include Tilia americana var. heterophylla, Liriodendron tulipifera, Fraxinus americana, Quercus rubra, and Aesculus flava. Other species in the canopy and subcanopy include Ulmus rubra, Juglans nigra, Betula lenta, Carya cordiformis, Halesia tetraptera, and Cornus florida. Acer saccharum is generally not a constant component in these forests. The shrub stratum can be diverse, but the coverage is often quite sparse. Typical shrubs include Hydrangea arborescens, Lindera benzoin, Calycanthus floridus, Philadelphus hirsutus, Philadelphus inodorus, and Rhododendron maximum. The herbaceous stratum is dense, lush, and diverse. Some of the more characteristic species include Sanguinaria canadensis, Cystopteris protrusa, Viola canadensis, Caulophyllum thalictroides, Hydrophyllum canadense, Trillium cuneatum, Asplenium rhizophyllum, Dicentra cucullaria, Tradescantia subaspera, Asarum canadense, Carex plantaginea, Hybanthus concolor, Trillium simile, Aquilegia canadensis, Carex austrocaroliniana, Deparia acrostichoides (= Athyrium thelypterioides), Diplazium pycnocarpon (= Athyrium pycnocarpon), Trillium rugelii, and Trillium luteum. These forests are distinguished by the presence of strongly calciphilic species such as Asplenium rhizophyllum, Aquilegia canadensis, Cystopteris protrusa, Diplazium pycnocarpon, Trillium simile, Trillium discolor, and Collinsonia verticillata.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This association covers forests of steep, protected coves and slopes at the lower elevations (below 610 m [2000 feet]) of the Southern Appalachians and upper Piedmont. These forests share species in common with other Southern Appalachian cove forests, but are distinguished by occurring at relatively low elevations (305-760 m [1000-2500 feet]).
Geographic Range: This community occurs in the escarpment region of the Southern Blue Ridge in western North Carolina, northern South Carolina, and Georgia, possibly ranging into Tennessee.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: GA, NC, SC, TN
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.686615
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2G3
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 | A0235 Tuliptree - Appalachian Basswood - Yellow Buckeye Forest Alliance | A0235 | 1.B.2.Na.3.a |
| Association | CEGL007711 Appalachian Basswood - White Ash / Bloodroot - (Red Columbine, Walking Fern) Forest | CEGL007711 | 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: = Tilia americana var. heterophylla - Fraxinus americana - (Ulmus rubra) / Sanguinaria canadensis - (Aquilegia canadensis, Asplenium rhizophyllum) Forest (Fleming and Patterson 2009a)
= Rich Cove Forest (Foothills Rich Subtype) (Schafale 2012)
= Rich Cove Forest (Foothills Rich Subtype) (Schafale 2012)
- Fleming, G. P., and K. D. Patterson. 2009a. A vegetation classification for the Appalachian Trail: Virginia south to Georgia. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage. In-house analysis, March 2009.
- GNHP [Georgia Natural Heritage Program]. 2018. Unpublished data. Georgia Natural Heritage Program, Wildlife Resources Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Social Circle.
- Major, C. S., C. Bailey, J. Donaldson, R. McCoy, C. Nordman, M. Williams, and D. Withers. 1999. An ecological inventory of selected sites in the Cherokee National Forest. Cost Share Agreement #99-CCS-0804-001. Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Tennessee Division of Natural Heritage, Nashville, TN.
- Nelson, J. B. 1986. The natural communities of South Carolina: Initial classification and description. South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department, Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, Columbia, SC. 55 pp.
- Peet, R. K., T. R. Wentworth, M. P. Schafale, and A.S. Weakley. No date. Unpublished data of the North Carolina Vegetation Survey. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
- Schafale, M. P. 2012. Classification of the natural communities of North Carolina, 4th Approximation. North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh.
- Schafale, M. P., and A. S. Weakley. 1990. Classification of the natural communities of North Carolina. Third approximation. North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh. 325 pp.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
- TDNH [Tennessee Division of Natural Heritage]. 2018. Unpublished data. Tennessee Division of Natural Heritage, Nashville, TN.