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A0652 Taxodium distichum - Taxodium ascendens / Panicum hemitomon Lakeshore Swamp Forest Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This alliance includes seasonally (to semipermanently) flooded woodlands of coastal plain lakeshores dominated by Taxodium distichum or Taxodium ascendens, and such shrubs as Cephalanthus occidentalis, Clethra alnifolia, Eubotrys racemosa, and Acer rubrum and herbaceous species such as Juncus repens, Eleocharis quadrangulata, Panicum hemitomon, Panicum verrucosum, and Panicum dichotomiflorum.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Bald-cypress - Pond-cypress / Maidencane Lakeshore Swamp Forest Alliance

Colloquial Name: Cypress Lakeshore Swamp Forest

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This alliance of the Southeastern Coastal Plain includes seasonally (to semipermanently) flooded woodlands of lakeshores dominated by Taxodium distichum or Taxodium ascendens, sometimes in intergrading populations. The shrub stratum can range from fairly dense to absent, and such species as Acer rubrum, Cephalanthus occidentalis, Clethra alnifolia, Eubotrys racemosa, and Toxicodendron radicans ssp. radicans may be present. The herbaceous layer may contain Eleocharis quadrangulata, Juncus repens, Panicum dichotomiflorum, Panicum hemitomon, and Panicum verrucosum, as well as species more typical of forested swamps that root at the peaty bases of trees and shrubs.

Diagnostic Characteristics: This alliance includes woodlands dominated by Taxodium distichum or Taxodium ascendens, along lakeshores, rather than associated with depressions which lack open water.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: No Data Available

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Open woodlands dominated by Taxodium distichum or Taxodium ascendens which are deciduous conifers, with a mix of evergreen and deciduous shrubs, and herbaceous layer dominated by graminoid wetland plants.

Floristics: This alliance includes woodlands dominated by Taxodium distichum or Taxodium ascendens, sometimes in intergrading populations. The shrub stratum can range from fairly dense to absent, and such species as Acer rubrum, Cephalanthus occidentalis, Clethra alnifolia, Eubotrys racemosa (= Leucothoe racemosa), and Toxicodendron radicans ssp. radicans may be present. The herbaceous layer may contain Cyperus odoratus, Cyperus polystachyos var. texensis, Echinochloa muricata, Eleocharis quadrangulata, Fimbristylis autumnalis, Fuirena pumila, Juncus repens, Lindernia dubia, Panicum dichotomiflorum, Panicum hemitomon, Panicum verrucosum, and Sclerolepis uniflora, as well as species more typical of forested swamps that root at the peaty bases of trees and shrubs.

Dynamics:  This alliance experiences seasonal to semipermanently flooding with drying out occurring only rarely. Taxodium seedlings establish on exposed soil, so these rare periods when the water is down are very important for the natural dynamics of Taxodium.
Environmental Description:  This alliance includes seasonally (to semipermanently) flooded woodlands of lakeshores dominated by Taxodium distichum. The Taxodium trees are actually in standing water nearly all the time.
Geographic Range: This alliance is found in the southeastern United States from Virginia to possibly Florida and from Alabama west to Texas.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AL, AR, FL?, GA?, LA, MS, NC, TX, VA


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.3 Temperate Flooded & Swamp Forest Formation F026 1.B.3
Division 1.B.3.Nb Southeastern North American Flooded & Swamp Forest Division D062 1.B.3.Nb
Macrogroup 1.B.3.Nb.1 Pond-cypress - Slash Pine Swamp Macrogroup M161 1.B.3.Nb.1
Group 1.B.3.Nb.1.a Pond-cypress / Holly species Basin Swamp Group G036 1.B.3.Nb.1.a
Alliance A0652 Bald-cypress - Pond-cypress / Maidencane Lakeshore Swamp Forest Alliance A0652 1.B.3.Nb.1.a
Association CEGL004046 Bald-cypress East Gulf Coastal Plain Pondshore Swamp Woodland CEGL004046 1.B.3.Nb.1.a
Association CEGL004079 Bald-cypress / Common Buttonbush / Small-spike False Nettle - Prickly Hornwort Maritime Swamp Forest CEGL004079 1.B.3.Nb.1.a
Association CEGL004424 Bald-cypress - Sweetgum - American Sycamore / Pawpaw Swamp Forest CEGL004424 1.B.3.Nb.1.a
Association CEGL004465 Bald-cypress - Pond-cypress / Maidencane - Pink Bogbutton Swamp Woodland CEGL004465 1.B.3.Nb.1.a
Association CEGL004466 Bald-cypress - Pond-cypress / Maidencane Swamp Woodland CEGL004466 1.B.3.Nb.1.a
Association CEGL004653 Bald-cypress / Common Buttonbush / Lesser Creeping Rush Swamp Woodland CEGL004653 1.B.3.Nb.1.a
Concept Lineage: Same as A.652 including associations.

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Baldcypress: 101 (Eyre 1980)
= Natural Lake Shoreline (Schafale and Weakley 1990)
Concept Author(s): M.P. Schafale and A.S. Weakley (1990)

Author of Description: C. Nordman

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 01-08-14
  • Eyre, F. H., editor. 1980. Forest cover types of the United States and Canada. Society of American Foresters, Washington, DC. 148 pp.
  • Faber-Langendoen, D., J. Drake, M. Hall, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, M. Russo, K. Schulz, L. Sneddon, K. Snow, and J. Teague. 2013-2019b. Screening alliances for induction into the U.S. National Vegetation Classification: Part 1 - Alliance concept review. NatureServe, Arlington, VA.
  • 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.