Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: The North Carolina occurrence is a somewhat open forest is dominated by Taxodium distichum. Liquidambar styraciflua and Acer rubrum are also present. There is little understory or shrub layer, but Diospyros virginiana and Morella cerifera (= var. cerifera) occur near the edges, and small amounts of Cephalanthus occidentalis and Rosa palustris occur in wetter portions. Woody vines, especially Vitis rotundifolia, Toxicodendron radicans, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Berchemia scandens, and Smilax rotundifolia, are prominent, especially in the shallower portions. Ceratophyllum muricatum dominates the semipermanent open water. Boehmeria cylindrica dominates on hummocks and on the edges. Other herbs include Carex lurida, Lycopus rubellus, Saururus cernuus, Triadenum virginicum, and Ptilimnium capillaceum. At First Landing/Seashore State Park and Fort Story in Virginia, this community occurs in linear dune swales, covering an estimated 12 hectares. The stands are dominated almost exclusively by uneven-aged Taxodium distichum festooned with Tillandsia usneoides, with occasional individuals of Nyssa biflora, Nyssa aquatica, and Liquidambar styraciflua also present. Understory tree layers are absent or poorly developed. There are small shrub patches on hummocks and around the edges of the swales, consisting mostly of Cephalanthus occidentalis, Decodon verticillatus, Eubotrys racemosa (= Leucothoe racemosa), Morella cerifera (= var. cerifera), Itea virginica, and Lyonia ligustrina. Herbs are very sparse, but scattered individuals or patches of Carex seorsa, Bidens discoidea, Lycopus rubellus, Triadenum virginicum, and Utricularia gibba occur.

Dynamics:  Sea water overwash is probably absent, but severe salt spray and wind damage occur in storms. Vegetation likely varies with variations in water level from year to year. As in all barrier island environments, these sites are geologically young and potentially short-lived, however, they are among the most stable portions of barrier islands and most have existed since prehistoric times.