Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Sweetgum / American Elm / Drooping Bulrush - (Millet Beaksedge, Mingled Beaksedge) Marl Swamp Forest

Colloquial Name: Atlantic Coastal Plain Marl Swamp Forest

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This forest occurs on somewhat poorly drained to poorly drained silty clay loam soils in temporarily flooded sloughs in the Atlantic Coastal Plain. The canopy consists of relatively open Liquidambar styraciflua and Acer rubrum, with occasional Nyssa biflora, Taxodium distichum, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, and Quercus laurifolia. The subcanopy is very strongly dominated by Ulmus americana, with Quercus laurifolia and Pinus taeda, in addition to other canopy species. Shrubs include Morella cerifera and Ilex cassine var. cassine, in addition to canopy and subcanopy species. The herbaceous layer is typically of moderate density and dominated by Scirpus lineatus along with several subordinate Rhynchospora species including Rhynchospora corniculata, Rhynchospora miliacea, and Rhynchospora mixta. This forest currently is known only from the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain of South Carolina.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Global distribution needs assessment. This forest type was described based on 2003 data from the Francis Marion National Forest (Jericho Swamp-Scirpus lineatus - December 26, 2003). From the data sheet provided by Glitzenstein and Streng (2004): Due to the low topography of much of FMNF, the smaller tributaries of the various stream and river systems disintegrate into broad swamps that seem to defy interpretation in terms of the usual floodplain descriptors. Jericho Swamp is one such area. It is furthermore interesting because it occurs on Meggett soils, well known to local botanists as a calcareous soil supporting distinctive wetland plant communities. Based presumably on hydrological variables, but perhaps soil chemistry as well, Jericho Swamp consists of at least two distinct communities of alluvial flats. One of these is an association dominated in the herbaceous layer by Scirpus lineatus along with several subordinate Rhynchospora species, including Rhynchospora corniculata, Rhynchospora miliacea and Rhynchospora mixta. According to Weakley''s Flora of Carolina and Virginia Scirpus lineatus is rare and is indicative of swamp forests over coquina limestone, an observation consistent with the occurrence of Meggett soil. The associated Rhynchospora spp. are also uncommon to rare inhabitants of swamps. Given the distinctive habitat and the rarity of the dominant ground-layer species, not to mention the lack of previously described associations for this particular alliance, we feel justified in recognizing a new association to describe this marl swamp plant community. The stand we selected for sampling is typical of this Scirpus lineatus - Rhynchospora association. The canopy consists of relatively open Liquidambar and Acer, with occasional Quercus laurifolia. The subcanopy is very strongly dominated by Ulmus americana, another indicator or nutrient-rich soils. The environment generally conforms to the description for the Acer rubrum - Fraxinus pennsylvanica Alliance, i.e., expansive level to nearly level soils flooded or saturated for a significant portion of the growing season. The sample site is part of a large area of similar swamp. The other main community of Jericho Swamp is one dominated by Carex leptalea, which may occur in somewhat less frequently flooded and more sphagnous areas. Pine flatwoods and calcareous slope forests border Jericho Swamp, including some with the very rare Carya myristiciformis.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available

note: No Data Available