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CEGL002424 Quercus lyrata - Liquidambar styraciflua / Forestiera acuminata Floodplain Forest

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Overcup Oak - Sweetgum / Eastern Swamp-privet Floodplain Forest

Colloquial Name: Overcup Oak - Sweetgum Bottomland Forest

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This forest is common in river swamps and low, moist bottomlands in the Mississippi River Alluvial Plain, the Red River Valley of Louisiana, and adjacent parts of the West Gulf Coastal Plain of Texas and Arkansas. It ranges north to southern Illinois, southeastern Indiana, and western Kentucky, and east to parts of Mississippi and Alabama. The mosaic of possible hydrologic conditions results in considerable species diversity, but Quercus lyrata and Liquidambar styraciflua are usually dominant. It is distinguished from other Quercus lyrata forests of the Gulf region by lacking Quercus texana, and having more Liquidambar styraciflua than Carya aquatica [see Similar Associations). This type is drier than forests in which Carya aquatica is codominant. Other canopy species commonly include Ulmus americana, Carya aquatica, Fraxinus profunda, Celtis laevigata, Acer rubrum, Acer saccharinum, and Quercus palustris (north of the range of Quercus texana). Trees in this forest are generally tall (30-45 m [100-150 feet]), and often exhibit thick trunks and stout branches that form broad irregular crowns. Oaks are generally of medium height, while Liquidambar may reach 45 m (150 feet) in height with tall, straight trunks. Canopy closure is complete (70-100%), and subcanopy, shrub, herbaceous, and vine density and diversity are directly affected by the timing, duration, and depth of seasonal flooding. The subcanopy in some occurrences is dense and is dominated by Crataegus viridis and Ulmus americana. The shrub layer is dominated by Forestiera acuminata, Planera aquatica, Cornus foemina, Ilex decidua, and Cephalanthus occidentalis. Vines may be dense and include Brunnichia ovata, Campsis radicans, and Vitis spp. Commonly encountered herbaceous species include Boehmeria cylindrica, Carex lupulina, Commelina virginica, Laportea canadensis, Ludwigia palustris, Pilea pumila, Polygonum hydropiperoides, Triadenum tubulosum, and Cinna arundinacea (in the more northern parts of the association''s distribution). Herbaceous growth and diversity will be limited in areas of consistently longer hydroperiod. Stands occur on level to gently sloping bottomlands along streams and rivers, in sinkhole basins, or in shallow sloughs. Flooding occurs seasonally or during periods of heavy precipitation, often resulting in ponding. A high water table is present. The deep soils (greater than 100 cm in depth), derived from alluvial parent material, are somewhat poorly drained and are seasonally wet.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: In this environment, Quercus lyrata is often present in nearly pure stands. In southern Illinois, where this community reaches the northern extension of its range, species with a more northern affinity (Quercus palustris, Acer rubrum) may occur in sufficient numbers to cause classification difficulties. The presence and relative density of Quercus lyrata should be the primary species characteristic used to identify this natural community. On the Sam Houston National Forest, a plot attributed here contains Carya aquatica and Fraxinus pennsylvanica and is difficult to place with certainty.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Structural variation in this community is subject to the duration and depth of flooding and soil physical properties. Understory, shrub, herbaceous, and vine layers can be dense, especially when flooding is minimal or in response to canopy openings.

Floristics: This forest is dominated by broad-leaved deciduous trees with a southern affinity, such as Quercus lyrata and Liquidambar styraciflua (Voigt and Mohlenbrock 1964), but in southern Illinois, Quercus palustris often occurs within this element. Other canopy species commonly encountered include Ulmus americana, Fraxinus profunda, Celtis laevigata, and Acer saccharinum. Trees in this forest often exhibit thick trunks and stout branches that form a broad, irregular crown. Oaks are generally of medium height, while Liquidambar styraciflua may reach 45 m in height with tall, straight trunks which are clear of branches for two-thirds of its height. The subcanopy in some occurrences is dense and is dominated by Crataegus viridis and Ulmus americana. The shrub layer is dominated by Forestiera acuminata, Planera aquatica, Cornus foemina (= Cornus stricta), Ilex decidua, and Cephalanthus occidentalis. Commonly encountered herbaceous species include Boehmeria cylindrica, Carex lupulina, Commelina virginica, Laportea canadensis, Ludwigia palustris, Pilea pumila, Polygonum hydropiperoides, Triadenum tubulosum, and Cinna arundinacea (in the more northern parts of the association''s distribution). Vines are often quite dense and include Brunnichia ovata (= Brunnichia cirrhosa), Campsis radicans, and Vitis spp. Vegetative density and diversity within this natural community fluctuates with the depth and duration of seasonal flooding. In a stand attributed to this type found in the Davy Crockett National Forest (Texas), vines include Berchemia scandens, Bignonia capreolata, Brunnichia ovata, Campsis radicans, Cocculus carolinus, Smilax bona-nox, Toxicodendron radicans, and Wisteria frutescens. Herbs include Acalypha rhomboidea, Amsonia sp., Boehmeria cylindrica, Leersia oryzoides, Lobelia cardinalis, Panicum rigidulum var. rigidulum, Polygonum virginianum, Saururus cernuus, Trachelospermum difforme, Triadenum sp., Viola sp., and Pleopeltis polypodioides.

Considerable variability in species composition is possible within and among occurrences of this natural community throughout its range. This variability is a result of hydrologic influences, particularly the duration and depth of seasonal flooding, as well as soil physical properties, and the amount of light penetrating the tree canopy. In southern Illinois, the typical variety of red maple found in this type is Acer rubrum var. drummondii. Plant species which dominate this natural community have a strong southern affinity (Voigt and Mohlenbrock 1964) and reach their northernmost extension in the floodplains of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers in southern Illinois and Indiana.

Dynamics:  Natural disturbances include flooding, wind, and storm damage. Vegetative density and diversity within this natural community fluctuate with the depth and duration of seasonal flooding. Seasonal flooding (early winter and late spring) and ponding of water contribute nutrients and clayey sediments to this dynamic and productive ecosystem. Flooding can stress dominant trees, particularly sweetgum which is less tolerant of prolonged inundation.
Environmental Description:  Stands occur on level to gently sloping bottomlands along streams and rivers, in sinkhole basins, or in shallow sloughs, usually in the most poorly drained floodplain backwaters where flooding extends well into the growing season and soils are clayey (Wharton et al. 1982). Flooding occurs seasonally or during periods of heavy precipitation, often resulting in ponding. A high water table is present. The deep soils (greater than 100 cm in depth), derived from alluvial parent material, are somewhat poorly drained and are seasonally wet. Soils which support this community include dominantly level or nearly level soils that formed in alluvium on poorly drained floodplains. These soils are deep, fine- to very fine-textured (clays) and have excessive moisture available for vegetation during the growing season (hydric). They have a udic or aquic moisture regime and a thermic temperature regime (classification: Alfisols - Vertic Haplaquolls, Haplaquepts, Haplaquents - fine, very fine - montmorillonitic, mixed-mesic). In Illinois, soil series which are typically found supporting this element include Darwin silty clay, Jacob clay, Cape silty clay loam, and Karnak silty clay. In Illinois, the soil series are poorly to very poorly drained, light-colored, extremely acidic, and formed on deep silty clay sediments more than 125 cm thick. Bedrock is deeply buried (>170 cm) and consists of Paleozoic deposits and stratified Cenozoic marine deposits. This community is subject to frequent, shallow flooding which can extend well into the growing season. Occasional prolonged deep flooding causes increased tree mortality, creating openings which are quickly recolonized after the water recedes (Johnson and Bell 1976).
Geographic Range: This community is most prevalent in northwestern Louisiana, southwestern Arkansas, and extreme eastern Texas but extends northward into Missouri, southern Illinois, western Tennessee, western Kentucky, and southern Indiana, and east to parts of Mississippi and Alabama.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AL, AR, IL, IN, KY, LA, MO, MS, TN, TX


Confidence Level: Low

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4?

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.Nb Southeastern North American Flooded & Swamp Forest Division D062 1.B.3.Nb
Macrogroup 1.B.3.Nb.4 Swamp Chestnut Oak - Bald-cypress - Pecan Southern Floodplain Forest Macrogroup M031 1.B.3.Nb.4
Group 1.B.3.Nb.4.a Swamp Chestnut Oak - Laurel Oak - Sweetgum Floodplain Forest Group G034 1.B.3.Nb.4.a
Alliance A3629 Overcup Oak - Willow Oak - Water Hickory Swamp Forest Alliance A3629 1.B.3.Nb.4.a
Association CEGL002424 Overcup Oak - Sweetgum / Eastern Swamp-privet Floodplain Forest CEGL002424 1.B.3.Nb.4.a
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Quercus lyrata - Liquidambar styraciflua / Forestiera acuminata Forest (Faber-Langendoen 2001)
= Quercus lyrata - Liquidambar styraciflua / Forestiera acuminata Forest (TNC 1995a)
< Eastern Broadleaf and Needleleaf Forests: 113: Southern Floodplain Forest (Quercus-Nyssa-Taxodium) (Küchler 1964)
= Floodplain, Quercus lyrata Type (Robertson et al. 1984)
< Overcup Oak - Water Hickory: 96 (Eyre 1980)
< Overcup Oak / Justicia Clayey/Loamy Seasonally Flooded Low River Floodplains (Turner et al. 1999)
< P1B3cI. Quercus lyrata (Foti et al. 1994)
= P1B3cI1a. Quercus lyrata - Carya aquatica (Foti et al. 1994)
< Pin Oak - Sweetgum: 65 (Eyre 1980)
Concept Author(s): M. Guetersloh

Author of Description: M. Guetersloh, S. Landaal and D. Faber-Langendoen

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 03-24-00
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