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CEGL006406 Acer rubrum - Fraxinus (pennsylvanica, americana) / Lindera benzoin / Symplocarpus foetidus Swamp Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Red Maple - (Green Ash, White Ash) / Northern Spicebush / Skunk-cabbage Swamp Forest
Colloquial Name: Southern New England-Northern Piedmont Red Maple Seepage Swamp Forest
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association is a seepage swamp dominated by Acer rubrum and ranging from southern New England south to the Piedmont of Virginia. It generally occurs in saturated situations on slightly sloping hillsides, along small streams, or in basins that receive overland flooding in addition to groundwater influence. In general, these swamps are moderately acidic to moderately basic and have some seepage indicators but are not particularly species-rich. Soils are shallow to moderately deep mucks over mineral soils. Acer rubrum dominates the canopy; Fraxinus pennsylvanica or Fraxinus americana are usually also found in the canopy and can be codominant. Fraxinus nigra is not generally associated with this type at the northern portion of the range, and, if present, occurs only as scattered individuals, but this species does occur in this type in Pennsylvania. Other canopy or subcanopy associates may include Liriodendron tulipifera, Quercus bicolor, Quercus palustris, Prunus serotina, Fagus grandifolia, Betula lenta, Ulmus americana, and Ulmus rubra. Conifers such as Tsuga canadensis or Pinus strobus are generally absent or occur in very low abundance. The shrub layer may be fairly open to quite dense, depending on the amount of canopy closure. Shrub species commonly include Ilex verticillata, Rhododendron viscosum, Clethra alnifolia, Lindera benzoin, Cornus amomum, Alnus serrulata, and less commonly Vaccinium corymbosum, Lyonia ligustrina, Ilex montana, Toxicodendron vernix, Viburnum dentatum, and Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides. The herbaceous layer is variable in cover; Symplocarpus foetidus and Osmunda cinnamomea are nearly always present. In some areas, tall ferns (Osmunda cinnamomea, Onoclea sensibilis, Osmunda regalis, Thelypteris palustris, Thelypteris noveboracensis) form an herbaceous canopy within which other species are scattered. Microtopography is generally pronounced, resulting from tip-ups. Tree seedlings and Sphagnum mosses are common on hummocks but do not in general form extensive carpets. Additional nonvascular species can include Plagiomnium cuspidatum and Calliergon spp. Invasive shrubs and herbs, including Berberis thunbergii, Rosa multiflora, Lonicera morrowii, Alliaria petiolata, and Microstegium vimineum, may be abundant.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Classification of this type at the southern end of the range is supported by analysis of a 1250-plot regional dataset compiled for the NCR and Mid-Atlantic national parks vegetation mapping project. In that analysis, this association was represented a group of 18 Maryland and Virginia plots.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Acer rubrum dominates the canopy; Fraxinus pennsylvanica or Fraxinus americana are usually also found in the canopy and either can be codominant in the canopy. Fraxinus nigra is not generally associated with this type and, if present, occurs only as scattered individuals. Other canopy or subcanopy associates may include Liriodendron tulipifera, Quercus bicolor, Quercus palustris, Prunus serotina, Fagus grandifolia, Betula lenta, Ulmus americana, and Ulmus rubra. Conifers such as Tsuga canadensis or Pinus strobus are generally absent or occur in very low abundance. The shrub layer may be fairly open to quite dense, depending on the amount of canopy closure. Shrub species commonly include Ilex verticillata, Rhododendron viscosum, Clethra alnifolia, Lindera benzoin, Cornus amomum, Alnus serrulata, Carpinus caroliniana, and less commonly Vaccinium corymbosum, Lyonia ligustrina, Ilex montana, Toxicodendron vernix, Viburnum dentatum, and Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides (= Viburnum cassinoides). The herbaceous layer is variable in cover; Symplocarpus foetidus and Osmunda cinnamomea are nearly always present. In some areas, tall ferns (Osmunda cinnamomea, Onoclea sensibilis, Osmunda regalis, Thelypteris palustris, Thelypteris noveboracensis) form an herbaceous canopy within which other species are scattered. These other herbaceous species include Impatiens capensis, Galium aparine, Geum canadense, Arisaema triphyllum, Carex stricta, Carex gracillima, Carex intumescens, Carex radiata, Carex laevivaginata, Veratrum viride, Boehmeria cylindrica, Chelone glabra, Cardamine pensylvanica, Pilea pumila, and Glyceria spp. At the southern end of the range in Maryland and Virginia, Symplocarpus foetidus is usually greatly dominant (>50% cover) early in the growing season, with Saururus cernuus frequently assuming patch-dominance during the summer. Tree seedlings and Sphagnum mosses are common on hummocks but do not in general form extensive carpets. Additional nonvascular species can include Plagiomnium cuspidatum (= Mnium cuspidatum) and Calliergon spp. Invasive shrubs and herbs, including Berberis thunbergii, Rosa multiflora, Lonicera morrowii, Alliaria petiolata, and Microstegium vimineum, may be abundant.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This association is a seepage swamp dominated by Acer rubrum and ranging from southern New England to Virginia. It generally occurs in saturated soils on slightly sloping hillsides, along small headwater streams, or in depressions at the edges of floodplains that receive overland flooding in addition to groundwater inputs. In general, these swamps are moderately acidic to moderately basic and have some seepage indicators but are not particularly species-rich. Soils are shallow to moderately deep mucks over mineral soils. Microtopography is generally pronounced, resulting from tip-ups and the braided character of the drainage. Soil samples collected from 18 Maryland and Virginia plot samples are "intermediate" in chemistry, i.e., mean pH = 5.2, mean Ca = 1071 ppm, mean Mg = 195 ppm, mean total base saturation = 57%, but are more "basic" than "acidic" in their calcium and magnesium content.
Geographic Range: This vegetation occurs in southern New England south through the mid-Atlantic states to Virginia.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CT, DC, DE, IN, MA, MD, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688675
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4G5
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.Na Eastern North American-Great Plains Flooded & Swamp Forest Division | D011 | 1.B.3.Na |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.3.Na.2 Pin Oak - Green Ash - Blackgum Swamp Forest Macrogroup | M503 | 1.B.3.Na.2 |
| Group | 1.B.3.Na.2.h <i>Quercus bicolor - Fagus grandifolia - Acer rubrum</i> Swamp Forest Group | G918 | 1.B.3.Na.2.h |
| Alliance | A4461 <i>Acer rubrum - Fraxinus pennsylvanica</i> Northeast Alkaline Swamp Forest Alliance | A4461 | 1.B.3.Na.2.h |
| Association | CEGL006406 Red Maple - (Green Ash, White Ash) / Northern Spicebush / Skunk-cabbage Swamp Forest | CEGL006406 | 1.B.3.Na.2.h |
Concept Lineage: CEGL006236 adequately covered by CEGL006301 and CEGL006406.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Acer rubrum - Fraxinus pennsylvanica / Lindera benzoin / Symplocarpus foetidus Forest (Fleming and Patterson 2003)
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