Print Report
CEGL006459 Acer saccharum - Fraxinus americana / Carpinus caroliniana / Podophyllum peltatum Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Sugar Maple - White Ash / American Hornbeam / Mayapple Forest
Colloquial Name: Mid-Atlantic High Terrace Hardwood Floodplain Forest
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: These rich floodplain forests are found on slightly elevated alluvial terraces along active floodplains of larger rivers in the mid-Atlantic states, interior to the Coastal Plain. The setting is a raised river terrace; however, this forest may occur very close to the riverbank if the water channel is well-entrenched. The alluvial soils are slightly acidic to alkaline and less regularly inundated than the soils supporting floodplain forests dominated by silver maple or sycamore. Stands on lower terraces may flood occasionally, but the period of inundation is short. The canopy is closed to somewhat open, and a subcanopy is often present. Shrubs are typically sparse but may range up to about 30% cover. The herb layer is well-developed, fairly diverse, and seasonally variable, with spring ephemerals giving way to taller ferns, graminoids and forbs. Bryoids are very minor. The canopy dominants are usually some combination of Acer saccharum, Fraxinus americana, and sometimes Carya cordiformis. Canopy associates include Quercus rubra, Juglans nigra, Prunus serotina, Fraxinus nigra, Liriodendron tulipifera, Ulmus americana, Tilia americana, and Fagus grandifolia along with Platanus occidentalis which may reach noticeable cover in some stands. Carpinus caroliniana is often present as a small tree, along with Acer saccharum. Lindera benzoin is the most common shrub; Asimina triloba is characteristic in the southern portion of this type''s range. Vines such as Toxicodendron radicans and Parthenocissus quinquefolia are frequent but usually at low cover. The herb layer usually features spring ephemerals, including Claytonia virginica, Dicentra canadensis, and Erythronium americanum, followed by a mixture of ferns, forbs and graminoids. Characteristic species include Arisaema triphyllum, Caulophyllum thalictroides, Carex laxiculmis, Deparia acrostichoides, Elymus virginicus, Elymus riparius, Onoclea sensibilis, and Podophyllum peltatum. Exotic species, such as Microstegium vimineum, Glechoma hederacea, and Alliaria petiolata, may be abundant, especially in disturbed areas. These terrace forests are related to lower floodplain forests, e.g. ~Platanus occidentalis - Acer negundo - Juglans nigra / Asimina triloba / Mertensia virginica Floodplain Forest (CEGL004073)$$, but distinguished by the reduced importance of Acer saccharinum and Platanus occidentalis; they differ from enriched upland hardwood forests, e.g., ~Acer saccharum - Tilia americana / Asimina triloba / Jeffersonia diphylla - Caulophyllum thalictroides Forest (CEGL008412)$$, in their alluvial soils and flooding regime.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This community has been drastically reduced from its original extent, as it makes excellent fertile farmland. Originally it was probably a large-patch type.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The canopy is closed to somewhat open, and a subcanopy is often present. Shrubs are typically sparse but may range up to about 30% cover. The herb layer is well-developed, fairly diverse, and seasonally variable, with spring ephemerals giving way to taller ferns, graminoids and forbs. Bryoids are very minor. The canopy dominants are usually some combination of Acer saccharum, Fraxinus americana, and sometimes Carya cordiformis. Canopy associates include Quercus rubra, Juglans nigra, Prunus serotina, Fraxinus nigra, Liriodendron tulipifera, Ulmus americana, Tilia americana, Celtis occidentalis, and Fagus grandifolia. Carpinus caroliniana is often present as a small tree, along with Acer saccharum and Acer negundo. Lindera benzoin is the most common shrub; Asimina triloba is characteristic in the southern portion of this type''s range. Vines such as Toxicodendron radicans and Parthenocissus quinquefolia are frequent but usually at low cover. The herb layer usually features spring ephemerals, including Claytonia virginica, Dicentra canadensis, and Erythronium americanum, followed by a mixture of ferns, forbs and graminoids. Characteristic species include Arisaema triphyllum, Caulophyllum thalictroides, Carex laxiculmis, Deparia acrostichoides, Elymus virginicus, Elymus riparius, Onoclea sensibilis, and Podophyllum peltatum. Matteuccia struthiopteris may form local dominance patches in this type along the Potomac River in Maryland and Virginia. Exotic species, such as Microstegium vimineum, Glechoma hederacea, and Alliaria petiolata, may be abundant, especially in disturbed areas.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: These rich floodplain forests are found on slightly elevated alluvial terraces of mid-sized to larger rivers. The setting is a raised river terrace; however, this forest may occur very close to the riverbank if the water channel is well-entrenched. The alluvial soils are slightly acidic to alkaline. Stands on lower terraces may flood occasionally, but the period of inundation is short. Along the Potomac River west of Washington, DC, this community occupies alluvial fill overlying terraces interpreted as the Penholoway and Wicomico. It is often the higher of paired alluvial benches downstream of defending bedrock outcrops on major islands, with ~Platanus occidentalis - Acer negundo - Juglans nigra / Asimina triloba / Mertensia virginica Floodplain Forest (CEGL004073)$$ occupying the lower bench. Soils are generally deep sandy loams, loamy sands or sands and are likely Inceptisols. The mean flooding recurrence interval along the Potomac is 15 to 30 years.
Geographic Range: This association is known from the mid-Atlantic states from New York south to the James River in Virginia.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: MD, NJ, NY, PA, VA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.793663
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3?
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 1 Forest & Woodland Class | C01 | 1 |
| Subclass | 1.B Temperate & Boreal Forest & Woodland Subclass | S15 | 1.B |
| Formation | 1.B.3 Temperate Flooded & Swamp Forest Formation | F026 | 1.B.3 |
| Division | 1.B.3.Na Eastern North American-Great Plains Flooded & Swamp Forest Division | D011 | 1.B.3.Na |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.3.Na.1 Silver Maple - American Sycamore - Hackberry species Floodplain Forest Macrogroup | M029 | 1.B.3.Na.1 |
| Group | 1.B.3.Na.1.b <i>Acer saccharinum - Platanus occidentalis - Liquidambar styraciflua</i> Floodplain Forest Group | G673 | 1.B.3.Na.1.b |
| Alliance | A3701 American Sycamore - Green Ash - Tuliptree Central Appalachian-Piedmont Floodplain Forest Alliance | A3701 | 1.B.3.Na.1.b |
| Association | CEGL006459 Sugar Maple - White Ash / American Hornbeam / Mayapple Forest | CEGL006459 | 1.B.3.Na.1.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Acer saccharum / Ptelea trifoliata / Uniola latifolia Association (Rawinski et al. 1996)
< Sugar Maple - Basswood: 26 (Eyre 1980)
< Sugar Maple - Basswood: 26 (Eyre 1980)
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