Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: The canopy of mature, frequently flat-topped Pinus palustris is widely scattered, with cover ranging from 10-25%. The Pinus palustris canopy is typically stunted, ranging from less than 12 m to approximately 15 m in height. Pinus taeda and Pinus echinata may occur, being much more abundant in disturbed examples of this community. Although scattered Quercus individuals may be present, their cover is much less than 10%; especially in more xeric sites, the scattered Quercus marilandica, Quercus stellata, and Quercus falcata are stunted and gnarled, barely rising above the shrub layer. Shrubs are not significant members of this community, ranging from absent to widely scattered Ilex vomitoria and Vaccinium arboreum, Vaccinium corymbosum, Vaccinium elliottii, and Vaccinium stamineum. The low-diversity herbaceous layer comprised largely of Schizachyrium scoparium and Bigelowia nuttallii is often intermingled with patches of exposed sandstone rock, mineral soils, and Cladonia spp. The families Poaceae and Asteraceae account for over one-third of the herbaceous taxa in one glade (MacRoberts and MacRoberts 1992). Species that are not dominant but that may be scattered in examples of this community include Andropogon gyrans var. gyrans, Andropogon ternarius, Anthaenantia villosa, Aristida purpurascens var. virgata, Dichanthelium aciculare, Dichanthelium sphaerocarpon, Schizachyrium tenerum, Sporobolus junceus, Symphyotrichum dumosum (= Aster dumosus), Ionactis linariifolius, Eupatorium leucolepis, Helianthus angustifolius, Eurybia hemispherica (= Aster paludosus ssp. hemisphericus), Pityopsis graminifolia var. graminifolia, Liatris pycnostachya, Liatris squarrosa, Packera tomentosa (= Senecio tomentosus), Oligoneuron nitidum (= Solidago nitida), Vernonia texana, Juncus marginatus, Rhynchospora globularis, Rhynchospora plumosa, Scleria ciliata, Spiranthes tuberosa, Spiranthes vernalis, Polygala mariana, Polygala nana, Diodia teres, and Viola pedata (MacRoberts and MacRoberts 1992). Although the species composition overlaps with other Western Gulf Coastal Plain dry to xeric Pinus palustris uplands and with xeric Pinus taeda - Pinus echinata-dominated sandy woodlands, approximately 10% of the species in the glade community sampled by MacRoberts and MacRoberts (1992) are characteristic of wet Pinus palustris bogs, including Aletris aurea, Aletris farinosa, Drosera brevifolia, Pinguicula pumila, Platanthera spp., Sabatia gentianoides, and Asclepias spp. These species utilize the seasonally saturated soils and the open, high-light conditions.

Dynamics:  All examples in the West Gulf Coastal Plain are embedded in a matrix of longleaf pine. This surrounding matrix vegetation likely burned approximately every 2 to 5 years (Martin and Smith), and fires may have maintained open ecotones with this outcrop community. Successional trajectories are unknown, but this is a fire-dependent ancient community.