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CEGL007997 Carya floridana - Quercus myrtifolia - Quercus geminata Shrubland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Scrub Hickory - Myrtle Oak - Sand Live Oak Shrubland

Colloquial Name: Lake Wales Ridge Yellow Sand Scrub

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This Lake Wales Ridge scrub community is a xeromorphic shrubland consisting of Carya floridana, a deciduous hickory species, and evergreen scrub oaks (Quercus myrtifolia, Quercus chapmanii, Quercus geminata). Although occurring within the range of Quercus inopina, it is dominated by its close relative, Quercus myrtifolia. It occurs on yellow sands, as opposed to white (or sugar) sands on which Quercus inopina is dominant. Occurrence of a Pinus clausa canopy is variable from stand to stand. Pinus elliottii var. densa is usually present. The structure is often a tall (3-3.6 m [10-12 feet]), dense shrubland with few open spaces. The shrubby palms Serenoa repens and Sabal etonia are prominent in the understory. The herb layer is generally sparse and may be dominated by lichens (Cladonia evansii, Cladonia subtenuis). Rare species of subshrubs in the genus Dicerandra appear to favor this community. This community often occurs on higher elevations than Quercus inopina-dominated white sand scrub, often in conjunction with sandhill communities characterized by Pinus palustris and Quercus laevis, in Polk and Highlands counties, Florida.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: With more information, this association may be combined with ~Pinus clausa / Quercus geminata - Quercus myrtifolia - (Quercus laevis) / Garberia heterophylla Forest (CEGL007074)$$ now listed for Ocala National Forest (Marion and Flagler counties, Florida). It is also possible this community represents an older stage of scrub invasion of former sandhill communities such as are represented in the "turkey oak barrens" communities, ~Quercus laevis Central Florida Ruderal Woodland (CEGL007254)$$. However, turkey oak, if present at all, tends to be a minor component.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: This xeromorphic shrubland consists of Carya floridana, a deciduous hickory species, and evergreen scrub oaks (Quercus myrtifolia, Quercus chapmanii, Quercus geminata). Although occurring within the range of Quercus inopina, it is dominated by its close relative, Quercus myrtifolia. Occurrence of a Pinus clausa canopy is variable from stand to stand. Pinus elliottii var. densa is usually present. The structure is often a tall (3-3.6 m [10-12 feet]), dense shrubland with few open spaces. The shrubby palms Serenoa repens and Sabal etonia are prominent in the understory. The herb layer is generally sparse and may be dominated by lichens (Cladonia evansii (= Cladina evansii), Cladonia subtenuis (= Cladina subtenuis)). Rare species of subshrubs in the genus Dicerandra appear to favor this community.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  This community often occurs on higher elevations than Quercus inopina-dominated white sand scrub, often in conjunction with sandhill communities characterized by Pinus palustris and Quercus laevis (Myers 1990), in Polk and Highlands counties, Florida (Schultz et al. 1999).
Geographic Range: As currently described, this community is known only from higher elevations of Lake Wales Ridge in Polk and Highlands counties, Florida.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  FL


Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G1

Greasons: No Data Available
Type Name Database Code Classification Code
Class 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class C02 2
Subclass 2.B Temperate & Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Subclass S18 2.B
Formation 2.B.2 Temperate Grassland & Shrubland Formation F012 2.B.2
Division 2.B.2.Nh Southeastern North American Grassland & Shrubland Division D102 2.B.2.Nh
Macrogroup 2.B.2.Nh.1 Saw Palmetto - Myrtle Oak / Beyrich''s Three-awn Scrub & Dry Prairie Macrogroup M162 2.B.2.Nh.1
Group 2.B.2.Nh.1.a Myrtle Oak - Sand Live Oak Xeric Scrub Group G177 2.B.2.Nh.1.a
Alliance A0779 Sand Live Oak - Myrtle Oak - Chapman Oak Scrub Alliance A0779 2.B.2.Nh.1.a
Association CEGL007997 Scrub Hickory - Myrtle Oak - Sand Live Oak Shrubland CEGL007997 2.B.2.Nh.1.a
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Southern Ridge Sandhill - scrub hickory phase (Abrahamson et al. 1984)
Concept Author(s): J. Teague and A. Johnson

Author of Description: J. Teague and A. Johnson

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 01-19-00
  • Abrahamson, W. G., A. F. Johnson, J. N. Layne, and P. A. Peroni. 1984. Vegetation of the Archbold Biological Station, Florida: An example of the southern Lake Wales Ridge. Florida Scientist 47:209-250.
  • FNAI [Florida Natural Areas Inventory]. 2010a. Guide to the natural communities of Florida: 2010 edition. Florida Natural Areas Inventory, Tallahassee, FL. 228 pp. [https://fnai.org/naturalcommguide.cfm]
  • Myers, R. L. 1990a. Scrub and high pine. Pages 150-193 in: R. L. Myers and J. L. Ewel, editors. Ecosystems of Florida. University of Central Florida Press, Orlando.
  • Schultz, G. E., L. G. Chafin, and S. T. Krupenevich. 1999. Rare plant species and high quality natural communities of twenty-six CARL sites in the Lake Wales Ridge Ecosystem: Final report. Produced by the Florida Natural Areas Inventory, Tallahassee, for USDI Fish & Wildlife Service, South Florida Ecosystem Office, Vero Beach, FL.
  • Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.