Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: In most known stands referable to this type, Pinus echinata may have been the only pine species present, assuming historical fire regimes were as frequent as is often postulated. Given long periods of fire suppression, and only infrequent winter burning, the relative abundance and importance of Pinus taeda has likely increased in many stands and is now frequently important in existing examples. Both Pinus palustris and Quercus alba are typically absent or rare in these stands. In addition to the nominal species, other overstory and subcanopy species may also include Liquidambar styraciflua, Quercus velutina, Quercus nigra, Quercus stellata, Quercus margarettae, Quercus marilandica, Fraxinus americana, Cornus florida, Acer rubrum, and Ulmus alata. The shrub layer may include Chionanthus virginicus, Vaccinium arboreum, Forestiera ligustrina, Ilex vomitoria, Callicarpa americana, Morella cerifera (= Myrica cerifera), Rhus copallinum, and Frangula caroliniana. Understory species include Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Smilax glauca, Carex albicans var. australis (= Carex physorhyncha), Chasmanthium sessiliflorum, Vitis rotundifolia, Passiflora lutea, Piptochaetium avenaceum, Dichanthelium commutatum, Dichanthelium laxiflorum, Smilax tamnoides (= Smilax hispida), Solidago ulmifolia, Rubus argutus, Elephantopus tomentosus, Sanicula canadensis, Gelsemium sempervirens, Pteridium aquilinum, and other species (Turner et al. unpubl. data).

Dynamics:  In most examples Pinus echinata is believed to have been the historical dominant, although Pinus taeda may have been important in some areas and is frequently important in existing examples. It is believed that past land-use practices and alteration of fire regimes may have allowed the relative percentage of Pinus taeda to increase in many of these examples.