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CEGL006188 Chamaecyparis thyoides / Ilex glabra - Rhododendron viscosum Swamp Forest

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available


Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Atlantic White-cedar / Inkberry - Swamp Azalea Swamp Forest

Colloquial Name: Coastal Plain Atlantic White-cedar Swamp Forest

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This Atlantic white-cedar swamp occurs on the northern Coastal Plain and in areas of coastal climate (generally within 25 miles of the ocean) from New Hampshire to Delaware. It occurs in poorly-drained depressions or basins generally overlaying sand and gravel deposits. The canopy is dominated by Chamaecyparis thyoides or codominated with Acer rubrum. Less frequent canopy associates include Pinus rigida, Nyssa sylvatica, and sometimes Tsuga canadensis and Pinus strobus. The shrub layer is very dense and diverse with Clethra alnifolia, Ilex glabra, Morella pensylvanica, Gaylussacia frondosa, Leucothoe racemosa, Rhododendron viscosum, Ilex laevigata, Ilex verticillata, Aronia melanocarpa, and Vaccinium corymbosum. The herbaceous layer tends to be sparse or patchy and limited to sunny openings with Osmunda cinnamomea, Thelypteris palustris, Woodwardia virginica, Woodwardia areolata, Thelypteris simulata, Gaultheria procumbens, Drosera spp., Sarracenia purpurea, Pogonia ophioglossoides, Mitchella repens, Carex striata, Carex collinsii, Carex atlantica, and Toxicodendron radicans. The nonvascular layer includes several species of Sphagnum, commonly Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum flavicomans, Sphagnum magellanicum, Sphagnum pulchrum, Sphagnum recurvum, and Sphagnum palustre. Key diagnostic characteristics of this association are its coastal setting and the presence of Coastal Plain species such as Ilex glabra, Gaylussacia frondosa, Morella pensylvanica, Leucothoe racemosa, and Clethra alnifolia.

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

Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: This Atlantic white-cedar swamp is dominated by Chamaecyparis thyoides or codominated with Acer rubrum. Less frequent canopy associates include Pinus rigida, Nyssa sylvatica, and sometimes Tsuga canadensis and Pinus strobus. The shrub layer is very dense and diverse with Clethra alnifolia, Ilex glabra, Morella pensylvanica (= Myrica pensylvanica), Gaylussacia frondosa (= var. frondosa), Leucothoe racemosa, Rhododendron viscosum, Ilex laevigata, Ilex verticillata, Aronia melanocarpa, and Vaccinium corymbosum. The herbaceous layer tends to be sparse or patchy and limited to sunny openings with Osmunda cinnamomea, Thelypteris palustris, Woodwardia virginica, Woodwardia areolata, Thelypteris simulata, Gaultheria procumbens, Drosera spp., Sarracenia purpurea, Pogonia ophioglossoides, Mitchella repens, Carex striata, Carex collinsii, Carex atlantica, and Toxicodendron radicans. The nonvascular layer includes several species of Sphagnum, commonly Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum flavicomans, Sphagnum magellanicum, Sphagnum pulchrum, Sphagnum recurvum, and Sphagnum palustre.

Dynamics:  No Data Available

Environmental Description:  Generally occurs in basins overlying sand and gravel deposits or occasionally over glacial lake sediments. Water-saturated peat overlies mineral sediments. Standing water is usually present for at least half the growing season. Water and soil are nutrient-poor, especially low in nitrogen and phosphorus, and high in iron.

Geographic Range: This association occurs on the Atlantic Coastal Plain from Massachusetts to New Jersey.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  CT, DE, MA, NJ, NY, RI




Confidence Level: Moderate

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available

Grank: G3

Greasons: No Data Available


Concept Lineage: merged

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available

Synonomy: = Chamaecyparis thyoides/Rhododendron viscosum (Type 4) (Sperduto and Crowley 2002b)
? Chamaecyparis thyoides/Rhododendron viscosum Forest (Barrett 1996)
> Atlantic White Cedar Swamp (C) (Windisch 2014a)
< B2 - Chamaecyparis thyoides (Olsson 1979)
= Coastal Atlantic white cedar type (Motzkin 1991)
< SNE basin swamp, coastal Atlantic white cedar association (Rawinski 1984a)

Concept Author(s): Eastern Ecology Group

Author of Description: S.L. Neid

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 03-20-03

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