Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: This association is dominated or codominated by Pinus serotina and Pinus elliottii var. elliottii. The midstory is strongly dominated by Cliftonia monophylla and Cyrilla racemiflora. Other evergreen species, such as Lyonia lucida, Magnolia virginiana, and Ilex coriacea, may be common. Other shrubs documented from plots on Apalachicola National Forest are Clethra alnifolia, Persea palustris, Vaccinium corymbosum, Serenoa repens, Morella caroliniensis, Eubotrys racemosa (= Leucothoe racemosa), and Gaylussacia mosieri. The vines Smilax laurifolia and Vitis rotundifolia are common. Herbaceous species are very sparse, but Woodwardia virginica is common.

Dynamics:  Pinus serotina has several traits advantageous to surviving fire, including the ability to coppice or resprout, and the production of serotinous cones. However, the species does not thrive under frequent fire regimes, and it is clear that this association is not subject to frequent, low-intensity fire typical of longleaf flatwoods. Clewell (1981) estimated a fire-return interval of roughly 10-20 years. The lack of herbaceous vegetation and presence of a high water table make it difficult for fires to ignite except under droughty conditions. If and when fires do occur they are likely to be intense crown fires which may also burn into the peaty soils. It has been observed that fire history may explain the physiognomy of this and related acid swamps. Clewell (1981) suggests that examples with emergent overstory and/or taller shrub layers are subject to less frequent fire or at least have not been subject to destructive fire as recently as shorter forms. Intense crown fires may eliminate or heavily reduce the pine overstory, creating a transition to ~Cyrilla racemiflora - Cliftonia monophylla Wet Scrub (CEGL003847)$$.