Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Live Oak - Southern Magnolia - Cherrybark Oak - Sugarberry / Dwarf Palmetto Forest

Colloquial Name: Gulf Coast Salt Dome Hardwood Forest

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This association includes upland forests on loess-derived silt loams of coastal salt domes of Louisiana and upland forests on salt domes of coastal Texas on soils not derived from loess. The canopy in Louisiana occurrences is dominated by Quercus virginiana, Magnolia grandiflora, Quercus pagoda, Ulmus americana, Celtis laevigata, Liquidambar styraciflua, Tilia americana var. caroliniana, Quercus nigra, and Carya glabra. Fagus grandifolia is absent. A sparse shrub layer of Sabal minor, Vitis rotundifolia, Smilax rotundifolia, and the alien Ardisia crenata is present. Quercus virginiana typically codominates the closed canopy of this community in Texas. Other codominants can include Carya illinoinensis and Celtis laevigata, while Magnolia grandiflora is typically present but in smaller amounts. The epiphyte Pleopeltis polypodioides is quite common in canopy trees. The patchy to dense understory consists of Prunus caroliniana, Ilex vomitoria, Callicarpa americana, and Aesculus pavia. The herb layer is typically sparse and includes Oplismenus hirtellus ssp. setarius, Sanicula canadensis, Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii, and Elephantopus carolinianus. Common woody vines include Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Toxicodendron radicans, Rubus sp., Nekemias arborea, and Smilax bona-nox.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Examples at Weeks Island, Cote Blanche Island, Avery Island (Louisiana). A somewhat different forest occurs on High Island (Chambers and Jefferson counties, Texas), a coastal salt dome; this is tentatively placed here but may require recognition as a separate type upon further study.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available

note: No Data Available