Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: This association accommodates mesic forests dominated by Quercus shumardii and Quercus muehlenbergii, with one of several related Acer spp. (e.g., sugar maples Acer floridanum (= Acer barbatum), Acer leucoderme, Acer saccharum), depending on where the stand is located. The canopy composition varies considerably with geography. In addition to the nominal species, the canopy may also contain various Carya spp. (including Carya tomentosa (= Carya alba), Carya glabra, Carya ovalis, Carya ovata, and/or Carya carolinae-septentrionalis) and other basophilic and/or mesic hardwood species, including Fraxinus americana, Fraxinus quadrangulata (within its range), Diospyros virginiana, and Ulmus spp. (including Ulmus alata, Ulmus americana, Ulmus rubra, and/or Ulmus serotina). Other oaks, including Quercus alba, Quercus rubra, and Quercus velutina, may be present but will not dominate the canopy. Liriodendron tulipifera and/or Liquidambar styraciflua may be present, perhaps grading in from adjoining mixed mesic forests. One example in the Outer Nashville Basin of Tennessee contains Quercus macrocarpa. The canopy of examples from Georgia''s Ridge and Valley may contain more Appalachian species, including Aesculus flava, Halesia tetraptera, Tilia americana var. heterophylla, and Magnolia acuminata. These latter two species may be found in the subcanopy of examples generally across its range. Subcanopy species include the Acer spp. mentioned above, Aesculus spp., Cornus florida, Ostrya virginiana, Ulmus spp., Cercis canadensis, Celtis laevigata, Fraxinus quadrangulata, and Prunus spp. Shrubs and woody vines, which vary considerably with geography and site moisture conditions, may include Asimina triloba, Berchemia scandens, Calycanthus floridus, Crataegus spp., Euonymus americanus, Euonymus atropurpureus, Forestiera ligustrina, Frangula caroliniana, Lindera benzoin, Rhododendron canescens, Sideroxylon lycioides, Staphylea trifolia, Symphoricarpos orbiculatus, and Viburnum rufidulum. Other common woody vines include Bignonia capreolata, Lonicera sempervirens, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, and Toxicodendron radicans. Herbs, a mixture of mesic and submesic limestone species (also varying widely with geography), may include Actaea pachypoda, Actaea racemosa (= Cimicifuga racemosa), Ageratina altissima (= Eupatorium rugosum), Arabis laevigata, Asarum canadense, Asplenium platyneuron, Asplenium resiliens, Boehmeria cylindrica, Carex purpurifera, Carex spp., Caulophyllum thalictroides, Chasmanthium sessiliflorum, Claytonia virginica, Clematis virginiana, Cocculus carolinus, Desmodium pauciflorum, Dichanthelium boscii, Dioscorea quaternata, Elymus sp., Galium circaezans, Hepatica nobilis var. acuta, Hexastylis arifolia var. ruthii, Hydrophyllum canadense, Pachysandra procumbens, Passiflora lutea, Polygonatum biflorum, Polygonum virginianum, Polystichum acrostichoides, Ruellia caroliniensis, Sanicula spp., Silene stellata, Silene virginica, Solidago curtisii, Solidago sphacelata, Spigelia marilandica, Stellaria pubera, Tiarella cordifolia, Verbesina virginica, and Viola spp. The exotics Euonymus fortunei, Lonicera japonica, and Lonicera maackii may invade examples of this forest.

Dynamics:  No Data Available