Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Osage-orange - Common Persimmon / Fowl Mannagrass - (Cherokee Sedge) Floodplain Woodland

Colloquial Name: Mesic Blackland Osage-orange - Persimmon Floodplain Woodland

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This osage-orange-dominated riparian mesic blackland community occurs in deep soils on level terrain, typically as relatively narrow communities bordering ephemeral streams. The community is very similar to ~Ulmus americana - Fraxinus pennsylvanica - Celtis laevigata / Glyceria striata - (Carex cherokeensis) Riparian Blackland Woodland (CEGL007778)$$, except for the dominance of Maclura pomifera and Diospyros virginiana. Native Americans used Maclura extensively and may have planted it in many of the lowlands of the blackland prairie region. These communities may be remnants of that historical practice. Dominant tree species include Maclura pomifera and Diospyros virginiana with Acer negundo, Nekemias arborea, Berchemia scandens, Campsis radicans, Celtis laevigata var. laevigata, Cercis canadensis var. canadensis, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Liquidambar styraciflua, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Toxicodendron radicans, Ulmus americana, and Vitis cinerea occurring as occasional woody vegetation during periods of fire suppression. The dominant herbaceous species is Glyceria striata or Carex cherokeensis with Arundinaria gigantea, Carex debilis, Carex tribuloides, Helianthus grosseserratus, Juncus effusus, and Leersia oryzoides. Occasional herbs include Boehmeria cylindrica, Carex tribuloides, Ranunculus hispidus, Packera glabella, Sisyrinchium angustifolium, Smilax glauca, Spigelia marilandica, and Tradescantia ohiensis. Temporarily high water tables probably strongly influence herbaceous composition and moderately influence woody species composition. Woody vegetation succession is rapid during periods of fire suppression, forming almost impenetrable thickets of vines and shrubs. No high-quality examples of this community are known. A greater understanding of this community type should result with fire management. Fire-suppressed remnants of this community occur at the International Paper Blackland Prairie and Woods tract. The type location is Clark County, Arkansas. Other examples are known from Howard and Hempstead counties, and it should be found in Little River, Nevada, and Sevier counties, Arkansas.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Although this community may have an anthropogenic origin, it is quite rare. Carex cherokeensis dominance in the herbaceous layer denotes fire suppression and crown closure. Carex cherokeensis may be a differential species between this association and a ruderal, post-disturbance association heavily dominated by Maclura pomifera, i.e., ~Maclura pomifera Ruderal Forest (CEGL006627)$$. Carex cherokeensis is typical in the natural community and may not be in the ruderal type (T. Foti pers. comm. 2011).

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available

note: No Data Available