Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: This northern longleaf pine sandhill community differs substantially in floristic composition from other, more southern types. In part, this is a matter of many species occurring to the south being absent, but other, more northern species atypical of longleaf sandhills are also present. The overstory canopy is composed of equal parts Pinus palustris and Pinus taeda and the subcanopy layer is composed primarily of scrub oaks, including Quercus laevis, Quercus nigra, and Quercus falcata. Other common trees in this type include Pinus serotina, Diospyros virginiana, Sassafras albidum, and Castanea pumila. The shrub layer is dominated by Gaylussacia frondosa, Gaylussacia dumosa, and Vaccinium tenellum. Other common shrubs include Gaylussacia baccata, Gaultheria procumbens, Morella cerifera, Vaccinium pallidum, and Vaccinium stamineum. The herbaceous layer is relatively sparse and species-poor. Aristida stricta is lacking in this type. Other characteristic understory species include Euphorbia ipecacuanhae, Smilax glauca, Schizachyrium scoparium, Carphephorus bellidifolius, and Pteridium aquilinum. In Virginia, where longleaf pine vegetation is very limited and remaining sites are intensely managed with prescription fire, removal of loblolly pine, and planting of longleaf pine, existing association concepts are difficult to apply. The pre-settlement nature of these communities is somewhat obscure, because so few examples remain, and none of which are in very good condition.

Dynamics:  No Data Available