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CEGL006214 Taxodium distichum - Nyssa (biflora, sylvatica) / Clethra alnifolia / Boehmeria cylindrica Floodplain Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Bald-cypress - (Swamp Tupelo, Blackgum) / Coastal Sweet-pepperbush / Small-spike False Nettle Floodplain Forest
Colloquial Name: Non-tidal Bald-cypress - Tupelo Floodplain Forest
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This non-tidal swamp forest is characterized by Taxodium distichum and known to occur along the upper reaches of blackwater rivers and associated tributaries of the Maryland and Delaware Coastal Plain. Stands are typically positioned along slow-moving rivers, braided streams and backswamps subject to temporary and seasonal overbank flooding. Soils are composed of sand and silt loam and are frequently flooded for long periods with standing water. The canopy is characterized by emerging Taxodium distichum associated with admixtures of species such as Nyssa biflora, Nyssa sylvatica, Acer rubrum, Liquidambar styraciflua, and Fraxinus pennsylvanica. The shrub layer is diverse and typically includes species such as Clethra alnifolia, Ilex verticillata, Ilex opaca, Magnolia virginiana, and Itea virginica. Herb diversity is variable and can be can patchy in stands with a considerable amount of standing water. Most constant species include Boehmeria cylindrica, Saururus cernuus, Woodwardia areolata, Carex crinita, Carex folliculata, Impatiens capensis, Peltandra virginica, Osmunda regalis, Osmunda cinnamomea, and Chelone glabra.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The original concept of this association (CEGL006214) has been modified to accommodate non-tidal bald-cypress stands in Maryland and Delaware. This type is supported by three classification plots from the Pocomoke and Patuxent River (Battle Creek Cypress Swamp) watersheds in Maryland and observation data (McAvoy and Clancy 1993) from the Indian and Murderkill watersheds. The Maryland plot data were compared with plot data representing tidal swamps (i.e., ~Taxodium distichum - Nyssa biflora - Fraxinus profunda / Peltandra virginica - (Bignonia capreolata) Tidal Forest (CEGL006850)$$) and determined to be ecologically unique, thus warranting a distinction between tidal and non-tidal bald-cypress swamp types in the Maryland-Delaware region.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The canopy is characterized by emerging Taxodium distichum associated with admixtures of species such as Nyssa biflora, Nyssa sylvatica, Acer rubrum, Liquidambar styraciflua, and Fraxinus pennsylvanica. Associate species that occasionally occur in the canopy and subcanopy include Chamaecyparis thyoides, Pinus taeda, Liriodendron tulipifera, Populus heterophylla, Ulmus rubra, Quercus alba, Quercus michauxii, and Carpinus caroliniana. The shrub layer is diverse and typically includes species such as Clethra alnifolia, Ilex verticillata, Ilex opaca, Viburnum recognitum, Magnolia virginiana, and Itea virginica. Infrequent shrubs include Aronia arbutifolia, Asimina triloba, Leucothoe racemosa, and Rhododendron viscosum. Vines may include Smilax rotundifolia, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Campsis radicans, and Toxicodendron radicans. Herb diversity is variable and can be can patchy in stands with a considerable amount of standing water. Most constant species include Boehmeria cylindrica, Saururus cernuus, Woodwardia areolata, Carex crinita, Carex folliculata, Impatiens capensis, Peltandra virginica, Osmunda regalis, Osmunda cinnamomea, Dioscorea villosa, Mitchella repens, and Chelone glabra. Less frequent herbs include Arisaema triphyllum, Lobelia cardinalis, Leersia virginica, Oxypolis rigidior, Thalictrum pubescens, Viola cucullata, Viola x primulifolia, Polygonum hydropiperoides, Bidens frondosa, Carex intumescens, Lycopus rubellus, and Lycopus virginicus.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This non-tidal swamp forest is characterized by Taxodium distichum and known to occur along the upper reaches of blackwater rivers and associated tributaries of the Maryland and Delaware Coastal Plain. Stands are typically positioned along slow-moving rivers, braided streams and backswamps subject to temporary and seasonal overbank flooding. Soils are composed of sand and silt loam and are frequently flooded for long periods with standing water.
Geographic Range: This association occurs in the Pocomoke and Patuxent River (Battle Creek Cypress Swamp) watersheds in Maryland and the Indian and Murderkill watersheds in Delaware.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: DE, MD
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687351
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
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.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.c Bald-cypress - Water Tupelo Floodplain Forest Group | G033 | 1.B.3.Nb.4.c |
| Alliance | A3594 Bald-cypress - Water Tupelo - Swamp Tupelo Floodplain Forest Alliance | A3594 | 1.B.3.Nb.4.c |
| Association | CEGL006214 Bald-cypress - (Swamp Tupelo, Blackgum) / Coastal Sweet-pepperbush / Small-spike False Nettle Floodplain Forest | CEGL006214 | 1.B.3.Nb.4.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- Beaven, G. F., and H. J. Oosting. 1939. Pocomoke Swamp: A study of a cypress swamp on the eastern shore of Maryland. Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club 66:367-389.
- Clancy, K. 1996. Natural communities of Delaware. Unpublished review draft. Delaware Natural Heritage Program, Division of Fish and Wildlife, Delaware Division of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Smyrna, DE. 52 pp.
- Coxe, R. 2009. Guide to Delaware vegetation communities. Spring 2009 edition. State of Delaware, Division of Fish and Wildlife, Delaware Natural Heritage Program, Smyrna.
- Dennis, J. V. 1986. The bald cypress in the Chesapeake Bay region. Atlantic Naturalist 36:5-9.
- Eastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boston, MA.
- Fleming, L. M. 1978. Delaware''s outstanding natural areas and their preservation. Delaware Nature Education Society, Inc., Hockessin, DE. 422 pp.
- Harrison, J. W. 2011. The natural communities of Maryland: 2011 working list of ecological community groups and community types. Unpublished report. Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife and Heritage Service, Natural Heritage Program, Annapolis. 33 pp.
- Harrison, J. W., compiler. 2004. Classification of vegetation communities of Maryland: First iteration. A subset of the International Classification of Ecological Communities: Terrestrial Vegetation of the United States, NatureServe. Maryland Natural Heritage Program, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Annapolis. 243 pp.
- McAvoy, W., and K. Clancy. 1993. Characterization of Category I non-tidal wetland communities in Delaware: Bald cypress Taxodium distichum (L.) Richard and Atlantic white cedar Chamaecyparis thyoides (L.) BSP. Delaware Natural Heritage Inventory, Division of Parks and Recreation, Dover.
- Stalter, R. 1981. Some ecological observations of Taxodium distichum (L.) Richard, in Delaware. Castanea 46:154-161.