Print Report
G673 Acer saccharinum - Platanus occidentalis - Liquidambar styraciflua Floodplain Forest Group
Type Concept Sentence: This complex and widespread group of floodplain forests is dominated by some combination of Acer saccharinum, Betula nigra, Celtis laevigata, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Liquidambar styraciflua, Liriodendron tulipifera, Platanus occidentalis, and Ulmus americana. Stands are found in a broad band in the northeastern and middle parts of the eastern United States from southern New England and the Ontario lakeplains of New York south and west through the Interior Low Plateau of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky to the Ozarks of Arkansas and Missouri.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Acer saccharinum - Platanus occidentalis - Liquidambar styraciflua Floodplain Forest Group
Colloquial Name: South Central-Appalachian-Northeast Floodplain Forest
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: Stands of these floodplain forests are dominated by some combination of Acer saccharinum, Betula nigra, Celtis laevigata, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Liquidambar styraciflua, Liriodendron tulipifera, Platanus occidentalis, and Ulmus americana. Other species that may be present include Acer negundo. This complex and widespread group is found in a broad band in the northeastern and middle parts of the eastern United States from southern New England and the Ontario lakeplains of New York south and west through the Interior Low Plateau of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky to the Ozarks of Arkansas and Missouri.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Stands are dominated by some combination of Acer saccharinum, Betula nigra, Celtis laevigata, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Liquidambar styraciflua, Liriodendron tulipifera, Platanus occidentalis, and Ulmus americana. They occur over a broad range broad band in the northeastern and middle parts of the eastern United States from southern New England and the Ontario lakeplains of New York south and west through the Interior Low Plateau of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky to the Ozarks of Arkansas and Missouri. Some associations range south into the upper plains from Alabama to Arkansas.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This is a complex and widespread group of floodplain forests ranging from southern New England to the Ozarks. Eastern North American floodplain forests contain a diverse suite of dominant tree species with wide ranges, and they resist subdivision into neat groups and alliances. Some readjustment may be necessary. Some associations currently assigned to these alliances range south into the upper coastal plains from Alabama to Arkansas, and this may require review.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: These are typically closed-canopy forests, with canopy gaps occurring due to storm and flooding damage. There is usually a well-developed subcanopy as well. At topographically lower sites, the shrub layer is often sparse; on higher surfaces, it may be moderately dense. Vines are common.
Floristics: Stands are dominated by some combination of Acer saccharinum, Betula nigra, Celtis laevigata, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Liquidambar styraciflua, Liriodendron tulipifera, Platanus occidentalis, and Ulmus americana. Some characteristic and typical shrubs and small trees include Alnus serrulata, Asimina triloba, Carpinus caroliniana, Cephalanthus occidentalis (in wetter areas), Cornus amomum, Ilex decidua, Leucothoe fontanesiana, Lindera benzoin, Physocarpus opulifolius, Viburnum prunifolium, and others. In addition, Arundinaria gigantea may be present in some stands. Characteristic and typical forbs and graminoids may include Ageratina altissima, Boehmeria cylindrica, Carex spp., Chasmanthium latifolium, Cryptotaenia canadensis, Dichanthelium clandestinum, Elymus virginicus, Impatiens capensis, Laportea canadensis, Leersia virginica, Pilea pumila, Polygonum virginianum, Rudbeckia laciniata, Verbesina alternifolia, and many others, depending on biogeography and hydroperiod. Invasive introduced species such as Alliaria petiolata, Glechoma hederacea, Humulus japonicus, Microstegium vimineum, Stellaria media, and Urtica dioica ssp. dioica are often rampant.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: These forests occur on large river floodplains, where they occupy banks and first bottoms of major rivers with nutrient-rich silt loams, sand loams, and sands that are temporarily inundated, annually or less often, in major flood events.
Geographic Range: This group of floodplain forests is found across a broad band in the northeastern and middle parts of the eastern United States from southern New England and the Ontario lakeplains of New York south and west through Interior Low Plateau of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky to the Ozarks of Arkansas and Missouri, and the Crosstimbers of Oklahoma. Some associations range south into the upper coastal plains from Alabama to Arkansas.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.877688
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
Concept Lineage: G040 split into G673, G652 & G653 (DFL 7-23-12)
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- 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]