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CEGL004691 Platanus occidentalis - Liriodendron tulipifera - (Betula alleghaniensis) / Alnus serrulata - Leucothoe fontanesiana Floodplain Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: American Sycamore - Tuliptree - (Yellow Birch) / Hazel Alder - Highland Doghobble Floodplain Forest
Colloquial Name: Appalachian Montane Alluvial Forest
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association covers alluvial forests of Southern Blue Ridge and nearby portions of the inner Piedmont. This type is associated with narrow, rocky floodplains and islands in medium-sized rivers, typically at elevations below 915 m (3000 feet). It is more frequent below 610 m (2000 feet). Examples are known from the Nantahala Gorge, Slickrock Creek, the South Toe River, and the Black and Craggy Mountains. Canopy composition of stands is variable but typical dominants are Platanus occidentalis, Liriodendron tulipifera, Fraxinus americana, Betula alleghaniensis, and Betula lenta. Platanus is characteristic, but not necessarily dominant in stands of this association. Other canopy/subcanopy trees can include Carpinus caroliniana, Betula nigra, Acer rubrum, Pinus virginiana, Pinus strobus, and Tsuga canadensis. In contrast to montane alluvial forests on the margins of the Southern Blue Ridge or on larger rivers, Liquidambar styraciflua is rare to absent in this type. The shrub stratum can be dense, often with local dominance by Leucothoe fontanesiana or Rhododendron maximum. Other characteristic shrubs include Alnus serrulata, Xanthorhiza simplicissima, Corylus americana, Cornus amomum, Hamamelis virginiana, Euonymus americanus, and Hydrangea arborescens. Vines can be prominent including Aristolochia macrophylla, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Smilax glauca, Smilax rotundifolia, and Vitis aestivalis. Herbaceous species composition varies from site to site, and herbaceous strata can be quite patchy on the rocky substrate. Characteristic species known from these forests include Amphicarpaea bracteata, Actaea racemosa, Polystichum acrostichoides, Eurybia divaricata, Anemone quinquefolia, Athyrium filix-femina, Claytonia virginica, Erythronium americanum, Medeola virginiana, Packera aurea, Stellaria pubera, Tiarella cordifolia, and Viola blanda. Carex species may be common (e.g., Carex appalachica, Carex austrocaroliniana, Carex blanda, Carex digitalis, Carex plantaginea, Carex swanii, Carex torta).
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This alluvial forest type is less common in the Southern Blue Ridge than alluvial forests dominated by Tsuga canadensis, which are found in areas with better-developed soils and less frequent flooding.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Canopy composition of stands is variable but typical dominants are Platanus occidentalis, Liriodendron tulipifera, Fraxinus americana, Betula alleghaniensis, and Betula lenta. Platanus is characteristic but not necessarily present in all stands of this association. Other canopy/subcanopy trees can include Carpinus caroliniana, Betula nigra, Acer rubrum, Pinus virginiana, Pinus strobus, and Tsuga canadensis. In contrast to montane alluvial forests on the margins of the Southern Blue Ridge or on larger rivers, Liquidambar styraciflua is rare to absent in this type. The shrub stratum can be dense, often with local dominance by Leucothoe fontanesiana or Rhododendron maximum. Other characteristic shrubs include Alnus serrulata, Xanthorhiza simplicissima, Corylus americana, Cornus amomum, Hamamelis virginiana, Euonymus americanus, and Hydrangea arborescens. Vines can be prominent including Aristolochia macrophylla, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Smilax glauca, Smilax rotundifolia, and Vitis aestivalis. Herbaceous species composition varies from site to site, and herbaceous strata can be quite patchy on the rocky substrate. Characteristic species known from these forests include Amphicarpaea bracteata, Actaea racemosa (= Cimicifuga racemosa), Polystichum acrostichoides, Eurybia divaricata (= Aster divaricatus), Anemone quinquefolia, Athyrium filix-femina, Claytonia virginica, Erythronium americanum, Medeola virginiana, Packera aurea, Stellaria pubera, Tiarella cordifolia, and Viola blanda. In addition, Carex species may be common (e.g., Carex appalachica, Carex austrocaroliniana, Carex blanda, Carex digitalis, Carex plantaginea, Carex swanii, Carex torta).
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This association covers alluvial forests of Southern Blue Ridge and nearby portions of the inner Piedmont. This type is associated with narrow, rocky floodplains and islands in medium-sized rivers, typically at elevations below 915 m (3000 feet). It is more frequent below 610 m (2000 feet). Examples are known from the Nantahala Gorge, Slickrock Creek (Newell et al. 1997), Great Smoky Mountains, the South Toe River, the Black Mountains, Craggy Mountains (McLeod and Ulrey unpubl. data), and the Chattahoochee National Forest of Georgia.
Geographic Range: This community is found in the Southern Blue Ridge of western North Carolina, northern South Carolina, and eastern Tennessee. It likely extends into Georgia.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: GA?, NC, SC, TN
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.686995
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2?
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.3 Temperate Flooded & Swamp Forest Formation | F026 | 1.B.3 |
| Division | 1.B.3.Na Eastern North American-Great Plains Flooded & Swamp Forest Division | D011 | 1.B.3.Na |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.3.Na.1 Silver Maple - American Sycamore - Hackberry species Floodplain Forest Macrogroup | M029 | 1.B.3.Na.1 |
| Group | 1.B.3.Na.1.b <i>Acer saccharinum - Platanus occidentalis - Liquidambar styraciflua</i> Floodplain Forest Group | G673 | 1.B.3.Na.1.b |
| Alliance | A3702 American Sycamore - Sweetgum - Tuliptree Southern Appalachian Floodplain Forest Alliance | A3702 | 1.B.3.Na.1.b |
| Association | CEGL004691 American Sycamore - Tuliptree - (Yellow Birch) / Hazel Alder - Highland Doghobble Floodplain Forest | CEGL004691 | 1.B.3.Na.1.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Liriodendron - Platanus / Amphicarpaea Alluvial Forest (Newell et al. 1997)
? Platanus - Betula alleghaniensis Alluvial Forest (Newell et al. 1997)
= Platanus occidentalis - Liriodendron tulipifera - Betula (alleghaniensis, lenta) / Alnus serrulata - Leucothoe fontanesiana Forest (Fleming and Patterson 2009a)
? Alluvial Forest (McLeod 1988)
? Floodplain Woodlands (Pittillo and Smathers 1979)
< IIA6e. Southern Appalachian Alluvial Forest (Allard 1990)
? Platanus - Betula alleghaniensis Alluvial Forest (Newell et al. 1997)
= Platanus occidentalis - Liriodendron tulipifera - Betula (alleghaniensis, lenta) / Alnus serrulata - Leucothoe fontanesiana Forest (Fleming and Patterson 2009a)
? Alluvial Forest (McLeod 1988)
? Floodplain Woodlands (Pittillo and Smathers 1979)
< IIA6e. Southern Appalachian Alluvial Forest (Allard 1990)
- Allard, D. J. 1990. Southeastern United States ecological community classification. Interim report, Version 1.2. The Nature Conservancy, Southeast Regional Office, Chapel Hill, NC. 96 pp.
- 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.
- McLeod, D. E. 1988. Vegetation patterns, floristics, and environmental relationships in the Black and Craggy mountains of North Carolina. Ph.D. dissertation, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. 222 pp.
- NatureServe Ecology - Southeastern United States. No date. Unpublished data. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
- 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.
- Newell, C. L., R. K. Peet, and J. C. Harrod. 1997. Vegetation of Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness, North Carolina. Unpublished report to USDA Forest Service. University of North Carolina, Curriculum in Ecology & Department of Biology, Chapel Hill, NC. 282 pp. plus maps.
- Newell, C. L., and R. K. Peet. 1995. Vegetation of Linville Gorge Wilderness, North Carolina. Unpublished report. to USDA Forest Service. University of North Carolina, Department of Biology, Chapel Hill. 211 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.
- Pittillo, J. D., and G. A. Smathers. 1979. Phytogeography of the Balsam Mountains and Pisgah Ridge, southern Appalachian Mountains. Pages 206-245 in: H. Lieth and E. Landolt, editors. Proceedings of the 16th International phytogeographic excursion. Veroff. Geobot. Inst., Stiftung Rubel, Zurich.
- 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.