Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Southern Magnolia - American Beech - White Oak - Loblolly Pine Forest

Colloquial Name: West Gulf Coastal Plain Beech - Magnolia Small Stream Bottom Forest

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This forest is found within the average annual floodplain of small streams in central and western Louisiana, generally on acidic sandy loams and silt loams on both Pleistocene and Tertiary formations. Hydrologically, it is characterized by short-duration flood events, on the order of 1-3 days per event, occurring a few times in an average year. It is closely related to ~Fagus grandifolia - Pinus taeda - (Liquidambar styraciflua, Magnolia grandiflora, Quercus alba) Small Stream Forest (CEGL007320)$$ but differs mainly by having Magnolia grandiflora as a dominant or codominant species. Geographically within the West Gulf Coastal Plain of Louisiana, the type is present along small streams within the range of Magnolia grandiflora (mainly south of CEGL007320). This forest is typically dominated by a combination of Magnolia grandiflora, Fagus grandifolia, Pinus taeda, Quercus alba, Liquidambar styraciflua, Nyssa sylvatica, and Quercus nigra. Other canopy species often present include Quercus laurifolia, Quercus michauxii, Quercus pagoda, Nyssa biflora, Magnolia virginiana, Liriodendron tulipifera, Ulmus alata, Acer rubrum, Prunus serotina, Carya tomentosa, Carya glabra, and Quercus falcata. Common midstory and understory species include Carpinus caroliniana, Ilex opaca, Viburnum dentatum, Halesia diptera, Hamamelis virginiana, Cornus florida, Rhododendron canescens, Symplocos tinctoria, Vaccinium elliottii, Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis, Itea virginica, and others. Arundinaria gigantea is typically very common in patches. Vines are usually conspicuous and may include Vitis rotundifolia, Smilax spp., Berchemia scandens, Campsis radicans, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Toxicodendron radicans, and Bignonia capreolata. Herbaceous species often include Athyrium filix-femina, Polystichum acrostichoides, Chasmanthium latifolium, Chasmanthium sessiliflorum, Arisaema triphyllum, Lobelia cardinalis, Polygonum spp., and others. It is common on small streams of the Evangeline and Vernon districts of Kisatchie National Forest. Prominent examples occur in Louisiana, on the Evangeline District of Kisatchie National Forest.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Both this association and ~Fagus grandifolia - Pinus taeda - (Liquidambar styraciflua, Magnolia grandiflora, Quercus alba) Small Stream Forest (CEGL007320)$$ represent the first ("driest") small stream forests that arise along the upper reaches of drainages. The theoretical difference between them is that this association occurs within the range of Magnolia grandiflora and CEGL007320 occurs primarily outside the range of Magnolia grandiflora. They are both closely related to intermediate stream forest counterparts in their respective areas, ~Quercus michauxii - Quercus nigra - Pinus taeda / Carpinus caroliniana Floodplain Forest (CEGL007901)$$ and ~Quercus pagoda - Liquidambar styraciflua - Pinus taeda Floodplain Forest (CEGL007899)$$. The upper-stream-reach forests have a shorter hydroperiod and are not as wet as the downstream types. The downstream counterpart to this association is CEGL007901.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available

note: No Data Available