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CEGL004399 Quercus virginiana - Quercus hemisphaerica / Ilex vomitoria / Aristida condensata - Panicum amarum var. amarum Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Live Oak - Darlington Oak / Yaupon / Piedmont Three-awn - Bitter Panicgrass Forest
Colloquial Name: Sand Spit Evergreen Forest
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This community occurs on stabilized sand spits along estuarine rivers in southeastern North Carolina and potentially south to Florida. It is potentially affected by limited soil development, excessive drainage, and periodic salt disturbance during major storms. The vegetation is a woodland or open forest dominated by Quercus virginiana and Quercus hemisphaerica which are relative short and stunted (5-12 m tall) but not obviously streamlined by salt-spray pruning. Other trees include Juniperus virginiana var. silicicola, Pinus taeda, and Carya glabra. An open understory includes Osmanthus americanus and Persea palustris. A patchy shrub layer is dominated by Ilex vomitoria. Woody vines are abundant, especially Smilax auriculata, Smilax bona-nox, and Vitis rotundifolia. The herb layer is patchy and has moderate cover. Species that dominate in patches include Carex arenaria, Spartina patens, Aristida condensata, Panicum amarum var. amarum, Cladonia spp., and Cladonia evansii. The herb layer includes a combination of species shared with maritime grasslands, sandhills, and other open habitats.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This community is most closely related to ~Quercus virginiana - Quercus hemisphaerica - Pinus taeda - Quercus falcata / Persea palustris Forest (CEGL007026)$$ and was formerly treated as an odd variant of it. It probably represents a persistent early-successional stage of it on young and periodically disturbed substrates. However, its distinctive flora, structure, and setting warrant recognition as distinct. It also shares floristic and ecological characteristics with longleaf pine sandhill, maritime grassland, and marsh hammock communities (e.g., CEGL003577, CEGL004698, and CEGL007813).
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Vegetation is a woodland or open forest dominated by Quercus virginiana and Quercus hemisphaerica which are relative short and stunted (5-12 m tall). Other trees include Juniperus virginiana var. silicicola, Pinus taeda, and Carya glabra. An open understory includes Osmanthus americanus and Persea palustris. A patchy shrub layer is dominated by Ilex vomitoria and may also include Morella cerifera (= var. cerifera), Polygonella polygama (= var. polygama), Yucca filamentosa (= var. filimentosa), Arundinaria tecta, or Robinia hispida var. nana (= Robinia nana). Woody vines are abundant, especially Smilax auriculata, Smilax bona-nox, and Vitis rotundifolia, but also including Gelsemium sempervirens, Campsis radicans, and Smilax smallii. The herb layer is patchy and has moderate cover. Species that dominate in patches include Carex arenaria, Spartina patens, Aristida condensata, Panicum amarum var. amarum, Cladonia spp., and Cladonia evansii (= Cladina evansii). The herb layer includes a combination of species shared with maritime grasslands, sandhills, and other open areas. Other species present include Andropogon ternarius, Cyperus grayi, Cyperus retrorsus, Scleria triglomerata (= Scleria flaccida), Panicum virgatum var. virgatum, Schizachyrium scoparium, Opuntia pusilla, Bulbostylis ciliatifolia var. ciliatifolia, Eustachys petraea, Erythrina herbacea, Elymus virginicus, Galactia regularis, and Cirsium repandum.
Dynamics: This community appears to be long-term primary successional community. Young substrates with limited soil development and excessive drainage are likely contributing factors, but periodic disturbance by salt spray or waves during major storms may slow succession and maintain the open structure. They presumably eventually will succeed to closed forests that merge with nearby ~Quercus virginiana - Quercus hemisphaerica - Pinus taeda - Quercus falcata / Persea palustris Forest (CEGL007026)$$.
Environmental Description: This association is found on sand ridges or spits along estuarine rivers, elevated above tidal influence, on well-drained soils that are likely subject to some salt influence during major storms. These spits appear to be geologically young but appear to be stable. They presumably were created by some combination of tidal currents, wave, and wind action in the recent past. They are largely or completely isolated from fire. Young substrates with limited soil development and excessive drainage are likely important environmental factors, but periodic disturbance by salt spray or waves during major storms may slow succession and maintain the community. The age of these distinctive sites is not known. They appear to be younger deposits than the uplands they adjoin, but they are old enough that marshes have developed behind them.
Geographic Range: This association occurs in southeastern North Carolina and potentially south to Florida.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: FL?, GA?, NC, SC?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.821785
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G1G3
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.1 Warm Temperate Forest & Woodland Formation | F018 | 1.B.1 |
| Division | 1.B.1.Na Southeastern North American Forest & Woodland Division | D006 | 1.B.1.Na |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.1.Na.2 Live Oak - Texas Live Oak - Darlington Oak Forest Macrogroup | M885 | 1.B.1.Na.2 |
| Group | 1.B.1.Na.2.a Live Oak - Pignut Hickory - Cabbage Palmetto Coastal Forest Group | G798 | 1.B.1.Na.2.a |
| Alliance | A3192 Live Oak - Cabbage Palmetto Coastal Evergreen Forest Alliance | A3192 | 1.B.1.Na.2.a |
| Association | CEGL004399 Live Oak - Darlington Oak / Yaupon / Piedmont Three-awn - Bitter Panicgrass Forest | CEGL004399 | 1.B.1.Na.2.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- Nelson, J. B. 1986. The natural communities of South Carolina: Initial classification and description. South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department, Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, Columbia, SC. 55 pp.
- Schafale, M. P. 2012. Classification of the natural communities of North Carolina, 4th Approximation. North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh.
- Schafale, M. P., and A. S. Weakley. 1990. Classification of the natural communities of North Carolina. Third approximation. North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh. 325 pp.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.