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CEGL006472 Tilia americana var. heterophylla - Aesculus flava - Acer saccharum / Cystopteris bulbifera - Asarum canadense Forest

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Appalachian Basswood - Yellow Buckeye - Sugar Maple / Bulblet Bladderfern - Canadian Wild Ginger Forest

Colloquial Name: Southern Appalachian Limestone Rich Cove Forest

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This association is currently known only from carbonate rock districts in the west-central and southwestern Virginia portions of the Ridge and Valley province, extending into peripheral areas on the flanks of the Southern Blue Ridge and Cumberland Mountains. Occurrences in limestone valleys of West Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee seem likely. Sites are restricted to mesic, fertile slopes underlain by limestone or dolomite, small outcrops, and loose talus which is often exposed. Habitats are usually situated on lower to middle slopes subtending streams in low-elevation (<700 m [2200 feet]) montane valleys, coves, and gorges. Slopes are steep to extremely steep (mean = 33°), usually with north to east aspects. Bedrock outcrops are frequent, and significant subsurface lateral seepage may occur seasonally at some sites. Substrate varies from site to site, but generally consists of a mosaic of deep colluvial soil and fine talus or scree that is somewhat to very loose and unstable. Soils collected from plot samples are circumneutral, with very high calcium, magnesium, and total base saturation levels. Stands have a variable overstory composition, with Tilia americana var. heterophylla, Aesculus flava, Acer saccharum, and Fraxinus americana consistently important. Other less constant or abundant trees that may be important in some stands include Ulmus rubra, Carya cordiformis, Liriodendron tulipifera, Quercus muehlenbergii, Quercus rubra, Acer nigrum, Thuja occidentalis, and Celtis occidentalis. On several unusually sheltered, north-facing slopes, Tsuga canadensis is a codominant in the canopy mix. The understory and shrub layers of this community tend to be open or sparse, but patches of Staphylea trifolia and Lindera benzoin are frequent, along with climbing lianas of Aristolochia macrophylla. The herb layer is lush and diverse, with an array of patch-dominants that vary both among and within stands. On rockier substrates, Cystopteris bulbifera is consistently abundant, often covering up to 50% of an individual plot sample. More-or-less constant herbs that achieve >10% in one or more plots include Asarum canadense, Solidago flexicaulis, Osmorhiza claytonii, Actaea racemosa, Caulophyllum thalictroides, Laportea canadensis, Impatiens pallida, Polymnia canadensis, Hydrophyllum canadense, Jeffersonia diphylla, Thalictrum dioicum, Viola canadensis, Phacelia bipinnatifida, Dicentra canadensis, Dicentra cucullaria, Trillium grandiflorum, Delphinium tricorne, Stellaria corei, and Meehania cordata. Other characteristic herbs that usually occur at low cover are Arisaema triphyllum, Sedum ternatum, Cardamine concatenata, Polystichum acrostichoides, Hepatica nobilis var. acuta, Mitella diphylla, Asplenium rhizophyllum, Adiantum pedatum, Uvularia grandiflora, Prosartes lanuginosa, Prosartes maculata, Podophyllum peltatum, Carex albursina, Hybanthus concolor, Trillium sulcatum, Synandra hispidula, and Stylophorum diphyllum.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Virginia Natural Heritage have now inventoried and sampled many examples of this community in southwest Virginia, and although most sites are rocky, it is not always a "talus" forest but more of a general rich cove forest. Virginia has changed their state name to Southern Appalachian Limestone Rich Cove Forest. The classification was initially supported by analysis of data from eight plots as part of the National Capital Region Parks project. During this project, these plots were examined in a regional (Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia) dataset, along with other plots representing rich talus forest vegetation. The analysis supported this type as distinct from other Central Appalachian rich boulderfields. In a more recent regional analysis for the Appalachian Trail vegetation mapping project (1134 Southern Appalachian plots) (Fleming and Patterson 2009a) and a Virginia statewide analysis of upland montane forests and woodlands (1300 plots) (Fleming and Patterson 2009b), this association was represented by 24 plots from southwestern Virginia. Through extensive field work and these analyses, this type is currently treated as a concept that encompasses a range of substrate conditions, from boulderfields to deep soils.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: Stands have a variable overstory composition, with Tilia americana var. heterophylla, Aesculus flava, Acer saccharum, and Fraxinus americana consistently important. Other less constant or abundant trees that may be important in some stands include Ulmus rubra, Carya cordiformis, Liriodendron tulipifera, Quercus muehlenbergii, Quercus rubra, Acer nigrum, Thuja occidentalis, and Celtis occidentalis. On several unusually sheltered, north-facing slopes, Tsuga canadensis is a codominant in the canopy mix. The understory and shrub layers of this community tend to be open or sparse, but patches of Staphylea trifolia and Lindera benzoin are frequent, along with climbing lianas of Aristolochia macrophylla. The herb layer is lush and diverse, with an array of patch-dominants that vary both among and within stands. On rockier substrates, Cystopteris bulbifera is consistently abundant, often covering up to 50% of an individual plot sample. More-or-less constant herbs that achieve >10% in one or more plots include Asarum canadense, Solidago flexicaulis, Osmorhiza claytonii, Actaea racemosa, Caulophyllum thalictroides, Laportea canadensis, Impatiens pallida, Polymnia canadensis, Hydrophyllum canadense, Jeffersonia diphylla, Thalictrum dioicum, Viola canadensis, Phacelia bipinnatifida, Dicentra canadensis, Dicentra cucullaria, Trillium grandiflorum, Delphinium tricorne, Stellaria corei, and Meehania cordata. Other characteristic herbs that usually occur at low cover are Arisaema triphyllum, Sedum ternatum, Cardamine concatenata, Polystichum acrostichoides, Hepatica nobilis var. acuta (= Hepatica acutiloba), Mitella diphylla, Asplenium rhizophyllum, Adiantum pedatum, Uvularia grandiflora, Prosartes lanuginosa, Prosartes maculata, Podophyllum peltatum, Carex albursina, Hybanthus concolor, Trillium sulcatum, Synandra hispidula, and Stylophorum diphyllum. Species richness of 24 plot-sampled stands ranges from 21 to 95 taxa per 400 m2 (mean = 58).

Dynamics:  Distinguishing features of this community are its restriction to areas underlain by carbonate rocks (limestone and dolomite); its affiliation with steep, mesic, often bouldery/gravelly habitats in valleys, gorges, and coves; the infrequency of Quercus spp.; and the abundance of Cystopteris bulbifera and other obligate calciphiles, along with a generally lush and diverse herb layer with variable patch-dominance by several nutrient-demanding forbs. Although the mean species richness is comparable to that of many other rich cove and slope forests, the herbaceous cover of this type may be locally less dense where very rocky substrates prevail. However, due to the relatively rapid weathering of carbonate minerals and extremely fertile soils, even these microhabitats are typically well-vegetated with herbaceous plants, among which lithophytes such as Cystopteris bulbifera, Asplenium rhizophyllum, Sedum ternatum, and Mitella diphylla are prominent.
Environmental Description:  Sites for this community are restricted to mesic, fertile slopes underlain by limestone or dolomite, small outcrops, and loose talus which is often exposed. Habitats are usually situated on lower to middle slopes subtending streams in low-elevation (<700 m [2200 feet]) montane valleys, coves, and gorges. Slopes are steep to extremely steep (mean = 33°), usually with north to east aspects. Bedrock outcrops are frequent, and significant subsurface lateral seepage may occur seasonally at some sites. Substrate varies from site to site, but generally consists of a mosaic of deep colluvial soil and fine talus or scree that is somewhat to very loose and unstable. At sites where fine bouldery colluvium is abundant, there is often a mantle of colluvial soil covering the rocks; in places where large, coarse talus is abundant, soils are primarily interstitial. Overall, exposed rock cover averages about 32% in 16 plot samples. High cover of bryophytes and mesophytic lichens is characteristic on exposed rocks. Soils collected from plot samples indicate very high fertility, with a mean pH of 7.0, 100% mean total base saturation, and very high mean concentrations of calcium (3894 ppm) and magnesium (848 ppm).
Geographic Range: The type is currently known only from carbonate rock districts in the west-central and southwestern Virginia portions of the Ridge and Valley province, extending into peripheral areas on the flanks of the Southern Blue Ridge and Cumberland Mountains. Since similar limestone valleys are found in adjacent areas of West Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee, occurrences in those states seem likely. Similar vegetation has been observed in southeastern West Virginia (D.P. Walton pers. comm.).

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  VA, WV


Confidence Level: Low

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3G4

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.2 Cool Temperate Forest & Woodland Formation F008 1.B.2
Division 1.B.2.Na Eastern North American Forest & Woodland Division D008 1.B.2.Na
Macrogroup 1.B.2.Na.3 Appalachian-Interior-Northeastern Mesic Forest Macrogroup M883 1.B.2.Na.3
Group 1.B.2.Na.3.a American Beech - Tuliptree - Yellow Buckeye Forest Group G020 1.B.2.Na.3.a
Alliance A0235 Tuliptree - Appalachian Basswood - Yellow Buckeye Forest Alliance A0235 1.B.2.Na.3.a
Association CEGL006472 Appalachian Basswood - Yellow Buckeye - Sugar Maple / Bulblet Bladderfern - Canadian Wild Ginger Forest CEGL006472 1.B.2.Na.3.a
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: > Acer (nigrum, saccharum) - Tilia americana - (Aesculus flava) / Staphylea trifolia / Cystopteris bulbifera Forest (Fleming and Coulling 2001)
> Tilia americana / Staphylea trifolia / Cystopteris bulbifera Forest (Fleming 1999)
= Tilia americana var. heterophylla - Acer saccharum - Aesculus flava / Cystopteris bulbifera Forest (Fleming and Taverna 2006)
= Tilia americana var. heterophylla - Aesculus flava - Acer saccharum / Staphylea trifolia / Cystopteris bulbifera - Asarum canadense Forest (Fleming and Patterson 2009a)
Concept Author(s): G.P. Fleming (1999)

Author of Description: G.P. Fleming

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 12-22-11
  • Eastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boston, MA.
  • Fleming, G. P. 1999. Plant communities of limestone, dolomite, and other calcareous substrates in the George Washington and Jefferson national forests, Virginia. Natural Heritage Technical Report 99-4. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond. Unpublished report submitted to the USDA Forest Service. 218 pp. plus appendices.
  • Fleming, G. P., K. D. Patterson, and K. Taverna. 2017. The natural communities of Virginia: A classification of ecological community groups and community types. Third approximation. Version 3.0. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond, VA. [http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/natural-communities/]
  • Fleming, G. P., and K. D. Patterson. 2009a. A vegetation classification for the Appalachian Trail: Virginia south to Georgia. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage. In-house analysis, March 2009.
  • Fleming, G. P., and K. D. Patterson. 2009b. Classification of selected Virginia montane wetland groups. In-house analysis, December 2009. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond.
  • Fleming, G. P., and K. Taverna. 2006. Vegetation classification for the National Capitol Region parks, western region. Regional (VA-WVA-MD-DC) analysis prepared for NatureServe and USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program, March 2006. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond.
  • Fleming, G. P., and P. P. Coulling. 2001. Ecological communities of the George Washington and Jefferson national forests, Virginia. Preliminary classification and description of vegetation types. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond, VA. 317 pp.
  • WVNHP [West Virginia Natural Heritage Program]. No date. Unpublished data. West Virginia Natural Heritage Program, Elkins.