Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: These forests are dominated by Quercus geminata with Sabal etonia as an important shrub. Other characteristic species include Quercus myrtifolia, Serenoa repens, Osmanthus americanus, Lyonia ferruginea, Garberia heterophylla, Vaccinium stamineum, and Morella cerifera (= Myrica cerifera). Additional shrubs are Quercus laevis, Quercus chapmanii, Rhus copallinum, Vaccinium myrsinites, Lyonia lucida, Vaccinium darrowii, Pinus clausa, Pinus elliottii, Gaylussacia dumosa, Gaylussacia nana, Vaccinium arboreum, Persea humilis, Ilex opaca var. arenicola (= Ilex arenicola), and Pinus palustris. Herbaceous cover is very low; species include Galactia elliottii, Aristida beyrichiana, Liatris tenuifolia, Stillingia sylvatica, Rhynchospora megalocarpa, Tragia urens, Solidago odora, Smilax pumila, and Pteridium aquilinum. Lichens include Cladonia evansii (= Cladina evansii), Cladonia subtenuis (= Cladina subtenuis), and Cladonia leporina. Epiphytes Tillandsia usneoides, Tillandsia recurvata, and Tillandsia bartramii also occur.

Dynamics:  These forests occur on sites which have not burned for decades, or have only burned at low intensity. They occur in patches on the landscape called oak domes. The Quercus geminata leaf litter acts as a firebreak; it is not very combustible. After rain, often the boat-shaped leaves on the ground will contain small amounts of water, further protecting the forest from fire which readily burns the scrub and high pine.