Print Report
CEGL007807 Alnus serrulata - Amorpha fruticosa Riverscour Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Hazel Alder - False Indigobush Riverscour Shrubland
Colloquial Name: Ouachita Riparian Alder Shrubland
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: These alder - indigobush temporarily flooded riparian shrublands are found in the United States in the Ouachita Mountains of Oklahoma, Arkansas, and possibly Missouri. Stands occur near slow-moving water among the cobble bar vegetation of mountain streams. This community is maintained by the flashy, high-velocity flows and flooding of upland (often intermittent) streams. Dense piles of debris around the bases of the shrubs and aerial leaf packs ("alps") are common. Soils are derived from alluvial deposition of eroded sandstone, shale, and chert substrates. These shrublands are moderately tall (2-5 m [8-15 feet]) and often partially recumbent. Alnus serrulata is the dominant shrub. Associated shrubs include Amorpha fruticosa, Amorpha nitens, Cephalanthus occidentalis, Cornus obliqua, Cornus foemina, Hypericum prolificum, Ilex decidua, Itea virginica, Lyonia ligustrina, Styrax grandifolius, Vaccinium fuscatum, Viburnum nudum, and others. Typical species in the herbaceous layer include Amsonia hubrichtii, Dichanthelium dichotomum var. dichotomum, Dichanthelium sphaerocarpon var. isophyllum, Dulichium arundinaceum, Elymus virginicus var. virginicus, Gratiola brevifolia, Hypericum mutilum, Juncus effusus, Lysimachia lanceolata, Proserpinaca palustris, Ptilimnium nodosum (restricted distribution), Pycnanthemum tenuifolium, Rhynchospora capitellata, Solidago rugosa, Sium suave (uncommon), and others.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: High-quality examples are common on the Ouachita National Forest. The type location is in Garland County, Arkansas. Other sites include the North Fork of the Ouachita, Irons Fork, and Fourche LaFave rivers in Arkansas and Cedar Creek, Beech Creek, and Cucumber Creek in Oklahoma. Distribution of this type outside the Ouachita Mountains needs investigation with subsequent rank refinement.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: These shrublands are moderately tall (2-5 m [8-15 feet]) and often partially recumbent. Alnus serrulata is the dominant shrub. Associated shrubs include Amorpha fruticosa, Amorpha nitens, Cephalanthus occidentalis, Cornus obliqua (= Cornus amomum ssp. obliqua), Cornus foemina, Hypericum prolificum, Ilex decidua, Itea virginica, Lyonia ligustrina, Styrax grandifolius, Vaccinium fuscatum, Viburnum nudum, and others. Typical species in the herbaceous layer include Amsonia hubrichtii, Dichanthelium dichotomum var. dichotomum (= Panicum microcarpon), Dichanthelium sphaerocarpon var. isophyllum (= Panicum polyanthes), Dulichium arundinaceum, Elymus virginicus var. virginicus, Gratiola brevifolia, Hypericum mutilum, Juncus effusus, Lysimachia lanceolata, Proserpinaca palustris, Ptilimnium nodosum (restricted distribution), Pycnanthemum tenuifolium, Rhynchospora capitellata, Solidago rugosa, Sium suave (uncommon), and others.
Dynamics: Flashy, high-velocity flows maintain these shrublands.
Environmental Description: Stands occur near slow-moving water among the cobble bar vegetation of mountain streams. This community is maintained by the flashy, high-velocity flows and flooding of upland (often intermittent) streams. Dense piles of debris around the bases of the shrubs and aerial leaf packs ("alps") are common. Soils are derived from alluvial deposition of eroded sandstone, shale, and chert substrates.
Geographic Range: These temporarily flooded riparian shrublands occur in the Ouachita Mountains of Oklahoma and Arkansas.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AR, MO, OK
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689460
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3?
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class | C02 | 2 |
| Subclass | 2.C Shrub & Herb Wetland Subclass | S44 | 2.C |
| Formation | 2.C.4 Temperate to Polar Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Formation | F013 | 2.C.4 |
| Division | 2.C.4.Nd Eastern North American Temperate Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Division | D323 | 2.C.4.Nd |
| Macrogroup | 2.C.4.Nd.4 Eastern North American Riverscour Vegetation Macrogroup | M881 | 2.C.4.Nd.4 |
| Group | 2.C.4.Nd.4.a Central Interior-Appalachian Riverscour Barrens & Prairie Group | G753 | 2.C.4.Nd.4.a |
| Alliance | A3794 Hazel Alder - Ozark Witch-hazel - Coastal Plain Willow Riverscour Alliance | A3794 | 2.C.4.Nd.4.a |
| Association | CEGL007807 Hazel Alder - False Indigobush Riverscour Shrubland | CEGL007807 | 2.C.4.Nd.4.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Alnus serrulata - Amorpha fruticosa Shrubland (Faber-Langendoen 2001)
- Faber-Langendoen, D., editor. 2001. Plant communities of the Midwest: Classification in an ecological context. Association for Biodiversity Information, Arlington, VA. 61 pp. plus appendix (705 pp.).
- Hoagland, B. 2000. The vegetation of Oklahoma: A classification for landscape mapping and conservation planning. The Southwestern Naturalist 45(4):385-420.
- Little, E. L. 1980b. Baldcypress (Taxodium distichum) in Oklahoma. Proceedings of the Oklahoma Academy of Science 60:105-107.
- Penfound, W. T. 1953. Plant communities of Oklahoma lakes. Ecology 34:561-583.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
- Zollner, Douglas. Personal communication. Ecologist, The Nature Conservancy, Arkansas Field Office, Little Rock.