Print Report

G005 Pinus elliottii var. densa / Coccothrinax argentata - Sideroxylon salicifolium Woodland Group

Type Concept Sentence: This group includes pine rocklands of southern Florida with Chrysobalanus icaco, Coccothrinax argentata, Ilex cassine, Pinus elliottii var. densa, Sideroxylon salicifolium, Tetrazygia bicolor, and Leucothrinax morrisii, with many rare and endemic plants growing on limestone, or on thin sandy soils over limestone, on the Miami Ridge, Florida Keys, and in Big Cypress.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Florida Slash Pine / Florida Silver Palm - White Bully Woodland Group

Colloquial Name: South Florida Slash Pine Rockland

Hierarchy Level:  Group

Type Concept: This group includes pinelands of extreme southern Florida growing on limestone, or on thin sandy soils over limestone. The uniqueness of the flora associated with this type has long been recognized, including the number of endemic and West Indian species. It has been estimated that nearly one-third of the taxa found in this group are restricted to it, including half of south Florida''s endemic plants. Pinus elliottii var. densa is the dominant and characteristic pine species in this group on the southern Florida Peninsula. The understory vegetation consists of many hardwood species, including a number with tropical origins, and the herbaceous flora is species-rich and fire-adapted. Shrubs include Chrysobalanus icaco, Coccothrinax argentata, Ilex cassine, Sideroxylon salicifolium, Tetrazygia bicolor, and Leucothrinax morrisii. Different shrubs are found on the Miami Ridge than in the Florida Keys. Leucothrinax morrisii is a typical shrub only in the Florida Keys. More common and representative (if not diagnostic) species on the mainland and Florida Keys include Guettarda scabra, Guettarda elliptica, Dodonaea viscosa, Serenoa repens, and Byrsonima lucida.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Pinus elliottii var. densa is the dominant and characteristic canopy tree and is nearly always present in every stand. A suite of broadleaf evergreen shrub species and herb species could serve as diagnostic species, given that it is estimated that nearly one-third of the taxa found in this group are restricted to it, including half of south Florida''s endemic plants. Diagnostic tropical shrubs include Coccothrinax argentata, Leucothrinax morrisii, Sideroxylon salicifolium, Chrysobalanus icaco, Ilex cassine, and Tetrazygia bicolor. Different shrubs are found on the Miami Ridge than in the Florida Keys. Leucothrinax morrisii is a typical shrub only in the Florida Keys. More common and representative (if not diagnostic) species on the mainland and Florida Keys include Guettarda scabra, Guettarda elliptica, Dodonaea viscosa, Serenoa repens, and Byrsonima lucida. For now, an environmental modifier "Rockland" has been added; "Rockland" is a common term for the limestone-influenced habitats in south Florida where this vegetation occurs.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: These communities bear a strong resemblance to the rocky pinelands in the Caribbean, particularly in the eastern Bahama Archipelago on Grand Bahama, Abaco, New Providence, and Andros islands. These Bahamian pinelands have a canopy of Pinus caribaea var. bahamensis, but are similar to the South Florida types in substrate, physiognomy, and tropical understory species (Snyder et al. 1990). The southwestern Florida Pinus elliottii var. densa-dominated flatwoods on sands not influenced by limestone are not included in this group. The flatwoods tend to have Serenoa repens, an evergreen palm, as a common low shrub, and Aristida beyrichiana as a common grass. The flatwoods lack the tropical broadleaf evergreen shrubs characteristic of the pine rockland.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: The pine rockland vegetation is characterized by an open canopy of the needle-leaved evergreen conifer Pinus elliottii var. densa with a diversity of shrubs and herbaceous plants.

Floristics: Pinus elliottii var. densa is the characteristic and often dominant pine species. It has been estimated that nearly one-third of the taxa found in this group are restricted to it, including half of south Florida''s endemic plants (Stout and Marion 1993). Shrubs include Coccothrinax argentata, Leucothrinax morrisii (= Thrinax morrisii), Sideroxylon salicifolium, Chrysobalanus icaco, Ilex cassine, and Tetrazygia bicolor. Different shrubs are found on the Miami Ridge than in the Florida Keys. Thrinax morrisii is a typical shrub only in the Florida Keys. More common and representative (if not diagnostic) species on the mainland and Florida Keys are species such as Guettarda scabra, Guettarda elliptica, Dodonaea viscosa, Serenoa repens, and Byrsonima lucida (T. Armentano pers. comm. 2003). More than 250 native herbaceous plant species have been recorded in the pine rockland; they are a mixture of tropical and temperate species with a high percentage of endemic plants (Snyder et al. 1990).

Dynamics:  In the absence of fire, this group may be replaced by hardwood species within several decades (Stout and Marion 1993). The southern part of the Florida Peninsula is prone to hurricanes, which can be severe (i.e., Hurricane Andrew in 1992).
Environmental Description:  The pine rockland occurs on areas influenced by limestone. In many areas the limestone is sticking up and has an uneven surface with holes and higher areas. The holes can hold water and contribute to the diversity of small habitats within the pine rockland. Climate: Subtropical, with a dry season in the North American winter, and a rainy season in the North American summer. Soil/substrate/hydrology: Along the southeast coast of Florida, this group occurs on Miami Oolitic Limestone, while in the Big Cypress region (southwest Florida), it is found on outcrops of Tamiami Limestone.
Geographic Range: This group is found in the southern Florida Peninsula. Davis (1943) mapped this group, which occurs primarily on the Miami ridge bordering the Everglades, with disjunct examples found in the Big Cypress Swamp. In the Florida Keys, it is found on Big Pine Key, No Name Key, Little Pine Key, Cudjoe Key, and Upper Sugarloaf Key.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  FL


Confidence Level: Moderate

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR

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.1 Longleaf Pine / Pineland Three-awn Woodland Macrogroup M007 1.B.1.Na.1
Group 1.B.1.Na.1.a Florida Slash Pine / Florida Silver Palm - White Bully Woodland Group G005 1.B.1.Na.1.a
Alliance A0491 Florida Slash Pine Rockland Woodland Alliance A0491 1.B.1.Na.1.a
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Pine Forest (Duever et al. 1986)
= Pine Rockland (FNAI 2010a)
= Rockland Pine Forest (Davis 1943)
Concept Author(s): J.H. Davis, Jr. (1943)

Author of Description: C.W. Nordman

Acknowledgements: The work of J.H. Davis, Jr. over 70 years ago, and the recent work of the staff of Florida Natural Areas Inventory are gratefully acknowledged.

Version Date: 05-12-15
  • Armentano, Tom. Personal communication. National Park Service, Everglades National Park, Homestead, FL.
  • Comer, P., D. Faber-Langendoen, R. Evans, S. Gawler, C. Josse, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, M. Russo, K. Schulz, K. Snow, J. Teague, and R. White. 2003-present. Ecological systems of the United States: A working classification of U.S. terrestrial systems. NatureServe, Arlington, VA.
  • Davis, J. H., Jr. 1943. The natural features of southern Florida, especially the vegetation, and the Everglades. Florida Department of Conservation, Geologic Survey. Geologic Bulletin No. 25. Tallahassee, FL.
  • Duever, M. J., J. E. Carlson, J. F. Meeder, L. C. Duever, L. H. Gunderson, L. A. Riopelle, T. R. Alexander, R. L. Myers, and D. P. Spangler. 1986. The Big Cypress National Preserve. National Audubon Society Research Report No. 8. National Audubon Society, New York. 444 pp.
  • FNAI [Florida Natural Areas Inventory]. 2010a. Guide to the natural communities of Florida: 2010 edition. Florida Natural Areas Inventory, Tallahassee, FL. 228 pp. [https://fnai.org/naturalcommguide.cfm]
  • Faber-Langendoen, D., J. Drake, S. Gawler, M. Hall, C. Josse, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, L. Sneddon, K. Schulz, J. Teague, M. Russo, K. Snow, and P. Comer, editors. 2010-2019a. Divisions, Macrogroups and Groups for the Revised U.S. National Vegetation Classification. NatureServe, Arlington, VA. plus appendices. [in preparation]
  • McPherson, B. F. 1973. Vegetation map of the Big Cypress National Preserve. Figure 5.1 [back cover sleeve] in: M. J. Duever, J. E. Carlson, J. F. Meeder, L. C. Duever, L. H. Gunderson, L. A. Riopelle, T. R. Alexander, R. L. Myers, and D. P. Spangler. 1986. The Big Cypress National Preserve. National Audubon Society Research Report No. 8. National Audubon Society, New York.
  • Snyder, J. R., A. Herndon, and W. B. Robertson, Jr. 1990. South Florida rockland. Pages 230-277 in: R. L. Myers and J. J. Ewel, editors. Ecosystems of Florida. University of Central Florida Press, Orlando.
  • Stout, I. J., and W. R. Marion. 1993. Pine flatwoods and xeric pine forests of the southern (lower) coastal plain. Pages 373-446 in: W. H. Martin, S. G. Boyce, and A. C. Echternacht, editors. 1993. Biodiversity of the southeastern United States: Lowland terrestrial communities. John Wiley and Sons, New York.
  • USFWS [U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service]. 1998b. South Florida multi-species recovery plan. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, South Florida Ecological Services Office. [http://www.fws.gov/verobeach/Programs/Recovery/vbms5.html]