Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: The canopy is dominated by Quercus phellos and Quercus nigra, and Quercus alba in varying amounts depending on position. Also present are Liquidambar styraciflua, Acer rubrum var. trilobum, and Nyssa sylvatica. The subcanopy is composed of the canopy species, with Acer rubrum var. trilobum being the most prominent. The shrub stratum is characteristically dense (ranging from 20-90% cover in a 20x20-m plot), with Vaccinium fuscatum, Viburnum nudum var. nudum, Aronia arbutifolia, Rhododendron canescens, and Hypericum hypericoides. Herbaceous density and diversity are largely regulated by the duration and depth of seasonal flooding and summer drought. The herb layer typically contains Carex spp. (Carex joorii, Carex debilis, Carex intumescens, Carex caroliniana, Carex complanata), including the disjunct Carex barrattii in some examples. Also found are Osmunda cinnamomea, Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis, Thelypteris noveboracensis, Chimaphila maculata, and Mitchella repens. Polytrichum commune and Sphagnum spp. are common. Two variants of this association exist at Arnold Air Force Base. The first occurs on somewhat drier sites or on the outer borders of the depressions. The canopy is dominated by Quercus alba, with or without Quercus phellos and Quercus nigra. Oxydendrum arboreum is a common subcanopy species. The tall-shrub stratum includes more Rhododendron canescens and Vaccinium fuscatum than Viburnum nudum. This variant tends to have a denser herbaceous layer with higher diversity and commonly includes the aforementioned species along with Bartonia virginica, Chasmanthium laxum, and Chasmanthium sessiliflorum. The second variant of this community is found along Hunt Creek in the northern section of Arnold Air Force Base. Its canopy is dominated by Quercus palustris and Quercus pagoda. Liquidambar styraciflua is prominent in the subcanopy; its prominence is likely due to past logging in the vicinity. The shrub and herbaceous layers include the above species in addition to Cornus foemina and Triadenum walteri.

Dynamics:  These poorly drained upland flats or shallow depressions on loess overlying Fort Payne Formation cherty limestone are seasonally wet (mostly during winter and early spring) with a shallow, perched water table but tend to be dry in late summer and early fall.