Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Black Cottonwood - Sitka Spruce - (Bigleaf Maple) / Redwood Sorrel Riparian Forest

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This association is apparently limited to the western Olympic Peninsula, Washington, where it occurs in valley bottoms of major rivers. It is possible that it occurs farther south in coastal Washington or Oregon, though it would be rare there. It is found on fluvial terrace landforms, typically where riverine flooding appears to be currently infrequent (middle to upper terraces). Existing stands most often have a mixed broad-leaved deciduous-needle-leaved evergreen canopy, though some stands are dominated by the deciduous component with few evergreens. The canopy is a variable mixture of Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa (always present in tallest layer), Picea sitchensis (always present), Acer macrophyllum, and in smaller amounts Alnus rubra. Understory trees are mostly Picea sitchensis. The understory is characterized by the constant presence and typical abundance of the forb Oxalis oregana. The deciduous broad-leaved shrub layer varies from sparse to well-developed and is typified by Rubus spectabilis and Acer circinatum. Other herbs that have high constancy and are often codominant are Tolmiea menziesii, Polystichum munitum, and Circaea alpina. Stachys chamissonis var. cooleyae, Mitella ovalis, Athyrium filix-femina, Carex deweyana, Poa trivialis, and Ranunculus repens (latter two non-native) are typically present. The association should be distinguishable by the prominence of Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa in the upper canopy, and >10% cover of Picea sitchensis and >5% cover of Oxalis oregana.

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