Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: In North Carolina, these forests are dominated primarily by bottomland hardwood species, but usually have a significant component of upland species present as well. The most constant abundant canopy species are Liquidambar styraciflua, Quercus phellos, Quercus nigra, Quercus pagoda, Quercus michauxii, and Acer floridanum (= Acer barbatum). Quercus alba was present in 68% of the sampled plots (Matthews 2011). Carya ovata, Carya cordiformis, Carya tomentosa (= Carya alba), Quercus shumardii, Liriodendron tulipifera, and Fagus grandifolia are also fairly common. Occasionally, species shared with levee forests, such as Platanus occidentalis or Celtis laevigata, may be present. Carpinus caroliniana is the most abundant understory tree. Other high constancy understory species include Ilex opaca, Ulmus alata, Acer floridanum, Juniperus virginiana, and Asimina triloba. Ilex decidua is the most constant native shrub, but invasive exotic Ligustrum sinense is also usually present. Other common shrubs include Lindera benzoin, Aesculus sylvatica, and Asimina triloba. Frequent herbaceous species include Chasmanthium latifolium, Mitchella repens, Polystichum acrostichoides, and Verbesina alternifolia. Microstegium vimineum (exotic) also occurs with high frequency. Other herbs include both species typical of floodplains, such as Boehmeria cylindrica, Carex debilis, Carex grayi, and Carex intumescens, as well as more typical upland species such as Dichanthelium commutatum and Danthonia spicata.

Composition differs somewhat in the Virginia examples of the association. Quercus nigra is absent and southern species such as Acer floridanum that reach their northern limits in Virginia are not as frequent. Liquidambar styraciflua and Carya cordiformis are the most constant canopy trees. One or more oaks are also usually important, especially in older and less-disturbed stands. The most frequent oaks are Quercus phellos, Quercus michauxii, and Quercus shumardii, while Quercus pagoda and Quercus alba are only occasional. Liriodendron tulipifera and trees more typical of levees, such as Celtis occidentalis, Platanus occidentalis, Ulmus americana, and Fraxinus pennsylvanica, are frequently scattered but rarely important. However, these species tend to increase following disturbance and removal of oaks by cutting. Ulmus alata, Carpinus caroliniana, and Asimina triloba are constant understory trees, while Acer floridanum may also be common within its southern Virginia range. Ilex decidua, Lindera benzoin, and Viburnum prunifolium are the most constant shrubs. The herb flora is similar to that described for North Carolina. Occasionally, there may be a prominent component of nutrient-demanding forbs such as Asarum canadense on the richer sites. A distinct variant of this association occurs at a small number of sites along the Dan, Roanoke, Meherrin, and Nottoway rivers in Virginia. The soils at these sites have exceptionally high calcium and pH values, and the forests are more dominated by Acer floridanum, Carya cordiformis, Aesculus sylvatica, and a suite of rich-site herbs that includes Trillium sessile, Enemion biternatum, Phacelia covillei, Nemophila aphylla, and others. However, other than the relatively greater abundance of nutrient-demanding species, the floristic composition of these stands is very similar to that of more typical stands of the association. Several of the rich stands are quite old, and it is also possible that tolerant trees such as Acer floridanum have simply become more prevalent with maturity.

Dynamics:  These communities are flooded for only short periods and likely only in the largest floods. The presence of upland trees suggests fairly well-drained soils, but the predominance of bottomland species suggests that flooding and alluvial soils are important. Microtopography may create small wet inclusions. Canopy dynamics are presumably driven mainly by gap formation.