Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: The structure of this association varies from open fields with scattered tall and short shrubs covering 25% of the field, with herbaceous vegetation in the interstices, to dense "closed-canopy" tall shrublands with sparse ground layer vegetation. Common shrubs include Elaeagnus angustifolia, Cornus racemosa, Viburnum prunifolium, Lonicera japonica, Lonicera morrowii, Ligustrum vulgare, Euonymus alatus, Rosa multiflora, Rhus glabra, and Rhus typhina, with patches of herbaceous vegetation among the shrubs. Shorter shrubs include Berberis thunbergii and Rubus spp., and in some fields Gaylussacia baccata, Vaccinium pallidum, Vaccinium stamineum, and/or Vaccinium angustifolium. Small trees are often present but form <25% cover; they include Juniperus virginiana, Betula populifolia, Prunus virginiana, Cornus florida, Acer rubrum, Juglans nigra, Prunus serotina, Robinia pseudoacacia, and Fraxinus americana. The herbaceous layer is variable depending on the density of shrub cover. Typical species are those associated with old fields, grasslands, and agricultural sites. Common species include Solidago rugosa, Solidago gigantea, Solidago nemoralis, Monarda fistulosa, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Poa pratensis, Oxalis stricta, Viola sororia, Euthamia graminifolia, Festuca rubra, Schizachyrium scoparium, Pycnanthemum virginianum, Alliaria petiolata, Galium mollugo, Potentilla simplex, Achillea millefolium, Daucus carota, Trifolium repens, Bromus inermis, Agrostis gigantea, and Elymus repens (= Elytrigia repens), among many others. Vines can be absent or dominant, sometimes covering the tall and short shrubs. Common vines are Vitis aestivalis, Vitis labrusca, Toxicodendron radicans, Celastrus orbiculatus, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, and Lonicera japonica.

Dynamics:  This association develops as woody species colonize open fields, typically from the outer edges of the field into the center or as scattered clumps throughout the field.