Print Report

A1054 Zenobia pulverulenta - Lyonia lucida Shrub Pocosin Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: Cyrilla racemiflora, Ilex coriacea, Ilex glabra, Kalmia cuneata, Lyonia lucida, and Zenobia pulverulenta are characteristic shrub species of these mixed evergreen-deciduous pocosin wetlands of peat domes (ombrotrophic blanket bogs) of the Outer Coastal Plain of North Carolina.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Honeycup - Shining Fetterbush Shrub Pocosin Alliance

Colloquial Name: Honeycup - Shining Fetterbush Shrub Pocosin

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: Cyrilla racemiflora, Ilex coriacea, Ilex glabra, Kalmia cuneata, Lyonia lucida, and Zenobia pulverulenta are characteristic shrub species and usually codominant in various combinations. This alliance includes mixed evergreen-deciduous shrublands in pocosin wetlands on peat domes (ombrotrophic blanket bogs) of the Outer Coastal Plain of North Carolina. In these examples, the shrub height (0.5-2 m) is maintained primarily by extremely poor nutrient status, and secondarily by occasional fire. Stands typically have scattered Pinus serotina (less than 10% cover) which may be stunted. Herbaceous species include Woodwardia virginica.

Diagnostic Characteristics: This is a pocosin shrubland of mixed deciduous and evergreen shrubs. The most abundant shrubs are the deciduous shrub Zenobia pulverulenta, and the evergreen shrubs Cyrilla racemiflora, Lyonia lucida, and Ilex glabra.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Includes low, medium, and high pocosin shrub vegetation of mixed deciduous and evergreen shrubs. The most abundant shrubs are the deciduous shrub Zenobia pulverulenta, and the evergreen shrubs Cyrilla racemiflora, Lyonia lucida, and Ilex glabra.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This alliance includes low, medium, and high pocosin shrub vegetation of mixed deciduous and evergreen shrubs. Very low nutrient availability contributes to the low and stunted vegetation stature.

Floristics: Cyrilla racemiflora, Ilex coriacea, Ilex glabra, Kalmia cuneata, Lyonia lucida, and Zenobia pulverulenta are characteristic species and usually codominant in various combinations. These pocosin shrub wetlands typically have scattered Pinus serotina (less than 10% cover) which may be stunted. Herbaceous species include Woodwardia virginica.

Dynamics:  The shrub height (0.5-2 m) is maintained primarily by extremely poor nutrient status, and secondarily by occasional fire. Fire is part of the natural dynamics of pocosin vegetation.
Environmental Description:  Stands of this alliance occur in pocosin peat domes (ombrotrophic blanket bogs) and large peat-filled Carolina bays of the Outer and Middle Coastal Plain of North Carolina and South Carolina.
Geographic Range: This alliance is found in the Atlantic Coastal Plain of eastern North Carolina and South Carolina.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  NC, SC


Confidence Level: Moderate

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR

Greasons: No Data Available
Type Name Database Code Classification Code
Class 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class C02 2
Subclass 2.C Shrub & Herb Wetland Subclass S44 2.C
Formation 2.C.2 Temperate to Polar Bog & Fen Formation F016 2.C.2
Division 2.C.2.Nb Atlantic & Gulf Coastal Plain Pocosin Division D324 2.C.2.Nb
Macrogroup 2.C.2.Nb.1 Shining Fetterbush - Inkberry - Swamp Titi Bog & Fen Macrogroup M065 2.C.2.Nb.1
Group 2.C.2.Nb.1.a Shining Fetterbush - Inkberry - Swamp Titi Pocosin & Shrub Bog Group G186 2.C.2.Nb.1.a
Alliance A1054 Honeycup - Shining Fetterbush Shrub Pocosin Alliance A1054 2.C.2.Nb.1.a
Association CEGL003943 Swamp Titi - Honeycup Wet Shrubland CEGL003943 2.C.2.Nb.1.a
Association CEGL003944 Inkberry - Shining Fetterbush - Honeycup Wet Shrubland CEGL003944 2.C.2.Nb.1.a
Association CEGL004458 Pond Pine / Honeycup - Swamp Titi - Shining Fetterbush Wooded Wet Shrubland CEGL004458 2.C.2.Nb.1.a
Concept Lineage: Merge of three associations from the two old alliances A.1054 and A.1055.

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: >< IIC1a. Low Pocosin (Allard 1990)
>< Pond Pine: 98 (Eyre 1980)
Concept Author(s): A.S. Weakley, M.P. Schafale, B. van Eerden, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: C. Nordman

Acknowledgements: The past work of A.S. Weakley, M.P. Schafale, and B. van Eerden is gratefully acknowledged.

Version Date: 09-26-14
  • Allard, D. J. 1990. Southeastern United States ecological community classification. Interim report, Version 1.2. The Nature Conservancy, Southeast Regional Office, Chapel Hill, NC. 96 pp.
  • Christensen, N. L. 1979. Shrublands of the southeastern United States. Pages 441-449 in: R. L. Specht, editor. Ecosystems of the world. Series Publication 9A. Heathlands and related shrublands: Descriptive studies. Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company, New York.
  • Eyre, F. H., editor. 1980. Forest cover types of the United States and Canada. Society of American Foresters, Washington, DC. 148 pp.
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  • Kologiski, R. L. 1977. The phytosociology of the Green Swamp, North Carolina. North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station. Bulletin No. 250. 101 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.