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CEGL007719 Taxodium distichum - Fraxinus pennsylvanica - Quercus laurifolia / Acer rubrum / Saururus cernuus Floodplain Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Bald-cypress - Green Ash - Laurel Oak / Red Maple / Lizard''s-tail Floodplain Forest
Colloquial Name: Coastal Plain Bald-cypress - Mixed Hardwood Floodplain Forest
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This forest of bald-cypress and mixed hardwoods occurs in sloughs, alluvial flats, and other alluvial settings in the Coastal Plain of the southeastern United States, especially on soils with a percentage of silt. This type was originally documented in the Atlantic Coastal Plain but also occurs in the Gulf Coastal Plain as well. Examples of this association are dominated by Taxodium distichum, but differ from most other bald-cypress forests in the diversity of other hardwoods present (stands codominated by Nyssa are accommodated by other associations). A number of other tree species may be present in the canopy and/or subcanopy, some of which are indicative of less inundated conditions typically found in well developed slough and backswamps. These species include Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Quercus laurifolia, Quercus lyrata, Quercus michauxii, Acer rubrum, Liquidambar styraciflua, Planera aquatica, Fraxinus caroliniana, Celtis laevigata, Ulmus americana, Platanus occidentalis, and Acer negundo. The canopy is closed and the subcanopy layer generally is well-developed. The shrub layer is sparse and the herbaceous layer ranges from sparse to moderately dense depending upon duration of flooding. Acer rubrum is the strong dominant in the subcanopy with Planera aquatica, Carpinus caroliniana, Ulmus alata, Ilex decidua, and Celtis laevigata typical in this stratum as well. Itea virginica and Cephalanthus occidentalis are typical in the shrub layer. A variety of vines are possible within occurrences of this community. These include Vitis rotundifolia, Vitis aestivalis, Bignonia capreolata, Campsis radicans, Berchemia scandens, Trachelospermum difforme, and Mikania scandens. The most commonly occurring herbs are Asclepias perennis, Boehmeria cylindrica, Pilea pumila, Saururus cernuus, Commelina virginica, Justicia ovata, Phanopyrum gymnocarpon, Carex lupulina, Leersia lenticularis, Ludwigia alternifolia, and Chasmanthium latifolium. This forest type is documented in North Carolina and South Carolina; global distribution needs assessment.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: In Virginia, where related vegetation is relatively uncommon and in a restricted geography, it is treated as ~Taxodium distichum - Nyssa aquatica - Nyssa biflora / Fraxinus caroliniana / Itea virginica Floodplain Forest (CEGL007432)$$.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Atlantic Coastal Plain examples of this association are dominated by Taxodium distichum and Fraxinus pennsylvanica. Quercus laurifolia, Quercus lyrata, Acer rubrum, Liquidambar styraciflua, Planera aquatica, and Fraxinus caroliniana are usually present, as are other tree species of generally higher bottomland communities including Celtis laevigata, Ulmus americana, Platanus occidentalis, and Acer negundo. The canopy is closed and the subcanopy layer generally is well-developed. The shrub layer is sparse and the herbaceous layer ranges from sparse to moderately dense depending upon duration of flooding. Acer rubrum is the strong dominant in the subcanopy with Planera aquatica, Carpinus caroliniana, Ulmus alata, Ilex decidua, and Celtis laevigata typical in this stratum as well. Itea virginica and Cephalanthus occidentalis are typical in the shrub layer. A variety of vines are possible within occurrences of this community. These include Vitis rotundifolia, Vitis aestivalis, Bignonia capreolata, Campsis radicans, Berchemia scandens, Trachelospermum difforme, and Mikania scandens. The most commonly occurring herbs are Asclepias perennis, Boehmeria cylindrica, Pilea pumila, Saururus cernuus, Commelina virginica, Justicia ovata, Phanopyrum gymnocarpon, Carex lupulina, Leersia lenticularis, Ludwigia alternifolia, and Chasmanthium latifolium.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: These forests occur in sloughs and on alluvial flats on soils with a percentage of silt. This type is found in the Atlantic Coastal Plain and is possibly more widespread.
Geographic Range: This forest type is documented in Coastal Plain of North Carolina and South Carolina and more recently in Mississippi; global distribution needs additional assessment.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: LA?, MS, NC, SC
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687855
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3G4
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 | CEGL007719 Bald-cypress - Green Ash - Laurel Oak / Red Maple / Lizard''s-tail Floodplain Forest | CEGL007719 | 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: = Taxodium distichum - Fraxinus pennsylvanica - Quercus laurifolia / Acer rubrum / Saururus cernuus Forest (Landaal et al. 1998) [Plots 1-01; 1-16; 1-24; 1-25; 1-47]
- Landaal, S., A. Weakley, and J. Drake. 1998. Classification of the vegetation of Congaree National Park. Report to BRD-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program, National Park Service, The Nature Conservancy, Chapel Hill, NC. 67 pp.
- MSNHP [Mississippi Natural Heritage Program]. 2006. Ecological communities of Mississippi. Museum of Natural Science, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, Jackson, MS. 9 pp.
- NatureServe Ecology - Southeastern United States. No date. Unpublished data. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
- Nelson, J. B. 1986. The natural communities of South Carolina: Initial classification and description. South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department, Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, Columbia, SC. 55 pp.
- Peet, R. K., T. R. Wentworth, M. P. Schafale, and A.S. Weakley. No date. Unpublished data of the North Carolina Vegetation Survey. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
- Schafale, M. P. 2012. Classification of the natural communities of North Carolina, 4th Approximation. North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh.
- Schafale, M. P., and A. S. Weakley. 1990. Classification of the natural communities of North Carolina. Third approximation. North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh. 325 pp.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.