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CEGL003881 Morella pensylvanica / Diodia teres Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Northern Bayberry / Rough Buttonweed Shrubland
Colloquial Name: Chesapeake Bay Maritime Shrubland
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This community is a maritime shrubland dominated by Morella pensylvanica, occurring with Baccharis halimifolia, Rhus copallinum, and stunted individuals of Pinus taeda, Prunus serotina, Quercus virginiana, and Diospyros virginiana. Dense shade beneath shrubs and the frequent movement of sand in this community limit the herbaceous cover. Typical herbaceous species include Ammophila breviligulata, Panicum amarum var. amarulum, Cyperus grayi, Lechea maritima, Dichanthelium acuminatum, Spartina patens, Triplasis purpurea, Cenchrus tribuloides, Chamaesyce polygonifolia, Diodia teres, Hudsonia tomentosa, Oenothera humifusa, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Rumex acetosella, Solidago sempervirens, and Toxicodendron radicans. This maritime shrubland usually occupies the intermediate areas between the very unstable oceanward portions of the dunes and the more protected backdunes, where it forms partially open to dense shrub thickets. The substrate is sand with no soil profile development, and with variable amounts of accumulated leaf litter. Where this community occupies the lee side of foredunes, greater exposure to winds and storms contributes to a shorter stature and more open aspect of the vegetation. Here there are large patches of open unvegetated or sparsely vegetated sand. This community occurs from Delaware south to northern North Carolina.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This community is a maritime shrubland dominated by Morella pensylvanica. It supports species characteristic of ~Morella pensylvanica Dune Shrubland Alliance (A0902)$$, including Solidago sempervirens, Oenothera humifusa, Cyperus grayi, Ammophila breviligulata, Chamaesyce polygonifolia, Rhus copallinum, and from Maryland and north, Prunus maritima. This association is further characterized by species that differentiate it from other communities in the alliance, most notably Morella cerifera, Panicum amarum, Spartina patens, Baccharis halimifolia, and stunted individuals of Pinus taeda. ~Morella pensylvanica - Prunus maritima Shrubland (CEGL006295)$$ is the northern analog of this association.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This community is a maritime shrubland dominated by Morella pensylvanica (= Myrica pensylvanica), occurring with Baccharis halimifolia, Rhus copallinum, and stunted individuals of Pinus taeda. Prunus maritima is more characteristic of this community from Delaware northward. The constant movement of sand in this community limits the herbaceous cover. Typical herbaceous species include Ammophila breviligulata, Panicum amarum var. amarulum, Cyperus grayi, Dichanthelium acuminatum, Spartina patens, Triplasis purpurea, Cenchrus tribuloides, Chamaesyce polygonifolia, Diodia teres, Hudsonia tomentosa, Lechea maritima, Oenothera humifusa, Cakile edentula, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Rumex acetosella, Solidago sempervirens, and Toxicodendron radicans.
Dynamics: This association can grade into Ammophila dunes or maritime forest.
Environmental Description: This maritime shrubland community usually occupies the area intermediate between the very unstable oceanward portions of the dunes and the more protected backdunes, where it forms partially open to dense shrub thickets. The substrate is sand with no soil profile development, and with variable amounts of accumulated leaf litter. Where this community occupies the lee side of foredunes, greater exposure to winds and storms contributes to a shorter stature and more open aspect of the vegetation. Here, there are large patches of open unvegetated or sparsely vegetated sand.
Geographic Range: This association is restricted to backdunes of shorelines from Delaware to Nag''s Head, North Carolina.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: DE, MD, VA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689695
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class | C02 | 2 |
| Subclass | 2.B Temperate & Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Subclass | S18 | 2.B |
| Formation | 2.B.4 Temperate to Polar Scrub & Herb Coastal Vegetation Formation | F005 | 2.B.4 |
| Division | 2.B.4.Na Eastern North American Coastal Scrub & Herb Vegetation Division | D026 | 2.B.4.Na |
| Macrogroup | 2.B.4.Na.2 American Beachgrass - Sea-oats - Seaside Goldenrod Dune & Grassland Macrogroup | M057 | 2.B.4.Na.2 |
| Group | 2.B.4.Na.2.c Northern Bayberry - American Beachgrass - Shore Little Bluestem Dune & Grassland Group | G493 | 2.B.4.Na.2.c |
| Alliance | A0902 Northern Bayberry Dune Shrubland Alliance | A0902 | 2.B.4.Na.2.c |
| Association | CEGL003881 Northern Bayberry / Rough Buttonweed Shrubland | CEGL003881 | 2.B.4.Na.2.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Morella pensylvanica / Diodia teres Shrubland (TNC 1997a)
= Myrica pensylvanica - (Prunus maritima) Shrubland (Clancy 1996)
= Prunus maritima, Myrica pensylvanica coastal dune scrub association (Clancy 1993a) [Delaware.]
= Dunegrass-shrub transition zone (Higgins et al. 1971) [Assateague Island.]
< Shrub succession community (Hill 1986) [Assateague Island.]
< Upland (dune) thicket (Klotz 1986) [Virginia.]
= Myrica pensylvanica - (Prunus maritima) Shrubland (Clancy 1996)
= Prunus maritima, Myrica pensylvanica coastal dune scrub association (Clancy 1993a) [Delaware.]
= Dunegrass-shrub transition zone (Higgins et al. 1971) [Assateague Island.]
< Shrub succession community (Hill 1986) [Assateague Island.]
< Upland (dune) thicket (Klotz 1986) [Virginia.]
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- TNC [The Nature Conservancy]. 1997a. Vegetation classification of Assateague Island National Seashore and Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Report to the NBS/NPS Vegetation Mapping Program. The Nature Conservancy. Eastern Regional Office, Boston, MA.