Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Water Tupelo - Green Ash - Bald-cypress / Dwarf Palmetto Floodplain Forest

Colloquial Name: Mobile-Tensaw Delta Water Tupelo Floodplain Forest

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This association occurs along brownwater streams in the Mobile-Tensaw River Basin in southern Alabama. This community is a seasonally flooded bottomland forest primarily composed of Nyssa aquatica, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Quercus laurifolia, and Taxodium distichum. In addition, Nyssa biflora, Liquidambar styraciflua, and Ulmus americana are relatively frequent, but appear to be of secondary importance. Historically, Taxodium distichum may have been more abundant, but was reduced through timber harvesting. The subcanopy is represented by the foregoing species in addition to Acer rubrum and Fraxinus profunda. The shrub layer is characterized by a prominence of Sabal minor, and in some areas, Ilex verticillata. Other shrubs include Cornus foemina, Fraxinus caroliniana, Itea virginica, and Ilex cassine. Woody vines are common and generally climb into the canopy; they include Toxicodendron radicans, Wisteria frutescens, Gelsemium rankinii, Brunnichia ovata, and Nekemias arborea. The herbaceous component contains a rich diversity of species, with the following appearing most representative: Onoclea sensibilis, Leersia lenticularis, Phanopyrum gymnocarpon, Carex crus-corvi, Carex stipata, Carex hyalinolepis, Rhynchospora miliacea, Rhynchospora inundata, Commelina virginica, Saururus cernuus, Peltandra virginica, Spiranthes odorata, Platanthera flava var. flava, Asclepias perennis, Lobelia cardinalis, Mikania scandens, and Boehmeria cylindrica.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: No Data Available

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available

note: No Data Available