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A3233 Albizia julibrissin - Broussonetia papyrifera - Triadica sebifera Ruderal Forest Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance contains naturalized exotic forests on old fields and waste areas colonized by Albizia julibrissin, Broussonetia papyrifera, Triadica sebifera, or Maclura pomifera.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Silktree - Paper-mulberry - Chinese Tallow Ruderal Forest Alliance
Colloquial Name: Southeastern Exotic Ruderal Forest
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance contains naturalized exotic forests on old fields and waste areas colonized by Albizia julibrissin, Broussonetia papyrifera, Triadica sebifera, or Maclura pomifera. Maclura pomifera is a native species in a narrow region of the eastern U.S., but is so widely planted outside of its range that it is effectively exotic. Dominance-based suballiances may be described. Albizia julibrissin stands have dense to rather sparse cover. Stands are mostly 3-7 m tall. These forests occur on the upper slopes of loess bluffs of the Mississippi River and are probably more widespread in the warmer areas of the southeastern U.S. Broussonetia papyrifera forests are dominated by the non-native tree Broussonetia papyrifera in all strata. Native canopy or subcanopy trees occur at low cover values. Triadica sebifera-dominated upland forests are often found on old fields, dredge spoil, or other disturbed sites. Understory and herb layers are often poorly developed. Finally, Maclura pomifera occurs in pure stands or makes up the majority of the canopy. These are forests that typically result from the spread of plantings of Maclura pomifera or its invasion following land abandonment and/or fire, or from other severe disturbance. Stands are usually small (10-15 ha [30-40 acres]), with associated species varying widely depending on geography and habitat. Maclura pomifera produces no sawtimber, pulpwood, or utility poles, but it has been planted in greater numbers than almost any other tree species in North America, having become naturalized throughout the United States and southern Canada.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This alliance contains naturalized exotic forests on old fields and waste areas colonized by Albizia julibrissin, Broussonetia papyrifera, Triadica sebifera, or Maclura pomifera. Maclura pomifera is a native species in a narrow region of the eastern U.S., but is so widely planted outside of its range that it is effectively exotic.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Albizia stands are limited northward by the relative lack of cold-hardiness of the above-ground stems of this species. The natural range of Maclura pomifera is in the Red River drainage of Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas; and in the Blackland Prairies of Arkansas, the Post Oak Savannas, and the Chisos Mountains of Texas. According to some authors the original range included most of eastern Oklahoma, portions of Missouri, and perhaps northwestern Louisiana. The forests in this alliance are found locally throughout the eastern United States and in southern Canada on a wide range of sites, but are best developed on moist, rich loamy soils or those of limestone origin. The northern limits of this alliance compared to alliances in ~Eastern North American Native Ruderal Forest Group (G030)$$ needs review. Maclura pomifera stands in the northern and central United States may need to be placed in ~Acer platanoides - Ailanthus altissima - Pinus spp. Exotic Ruderal Forest Alliance (A3230)$$.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Stands are dominated by broad-leaved deciduous trees, ranging from 5 to 15 m tall.
Floristics: This alliance contains naturalized exotic forests on old fields and waste areas colonized by Albizia julibrissin, Broussonetia papyrifera, Triadica sebifera (= Sapium sebiferum), or Maclura pomifera. Maclura pomifera is a native species in a narrow region of the eastern U.S., but is so widely planted outside of its range that it is effectively exotic. Maclura pomifera occurs in pure stands or makes up the majority of the canopy. In Nebraska and Kansas, it invades overgrazed pastures, accompanied by Gleditsia triacanthos and is succeeded by Carya spp., Celtis spp., Juglans nigra, Quercus spp., and Ulmus spp. Among the most common associates on limestone-derived soils in middle Tennessee and neighboring portions of Kentucky and Alabama are Juniperus virginiana, Juglans nigra, Carya spp., and Ulmus spp. Old fields and waste areas colonized by Albizia julibrissin, Broussonetia papyrifera, and Triadica sebifera stands range from dense to rather sparse cover, and understory and herb layers are often poorly developed. But in general the floristics of these stands is poorly described.
Dynamics: Maclura pomifera stands are short-lived, typically resulting from planting or invasion of Maclura pomifera following land abandonment or fire, or from other severe disturbance. Maclura pomifera readily escapes from cultivation and invades exposed, eroding soil, particularly in overgrazed pastures. Thickets are characteristically found along fencerows, ditch banks, ravines, and around abandoned farmsteads.
Environmental Description: Maclura pomifera stands are best developed on moist, rich loamy soils or those of limestone origin, but can establish on a variety of soils, including acidic sands. Other stands are typically found on old fields, dredge spoil, or other disturbed sites.
Geographic Range: The range of this alliance includes scattered localities throughout the southeastern United States, from Texas east to Florida, and northward to the Carolinas. Maclura pomifera has been planted in greater numbers than almost any other tree species in North America (Burton 1990), having become naturalized throughout the United States and southern Canada. Its distribution has been greatly expanded beyond the natural range of osage-orange in the Red River drainage of Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas; and in the Blackland Prairies, Post Oak Savannas, and Chisos Mountains of Texas. According to some authors the original range included most of eastern Oklahoma, portions of Missouri, and perhaps northwestern Louisiana (Burton 1990). The commercial range of the species includes most of the United States east of the Rocky Mountains, south of the Platte River, and the Great Lakes, excluding the Appalachian Mountains. Albizia julibrissin is found in the southeastern United States. It is limited northward by the relative lack of cold-hardiness of the above-ground stems of Albizia. Triadica sebifera is so far restricted to Texas, Louisiana, and Alabama, but it could possibly be found in other parts of the southeastern United States, including Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and South Carolina. Broussonetia papyrifera is naturalized in 29 states in the U.S., and is an aggressive invasive in Florida (Kershner et al. 2008).
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, OK, SC?, TN, TX
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899357
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNA
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.90 Sweetgum - Loblolly Pine - Chinese Tallow Ruderal Forest Macrogroup | M305 | 1.B.1.Na.90 |
| Group | 1.B.1.Na.90.b Loblolly Pine - Pine species Ruderal Forest Group | G029 | 1.B.1.Na.90.b |
| Alliance | A3233 Silktree - Paper-mulberry - Chinese Tallow Ruderal Forest Alliance | A3233 | 1.B.1.Na.90.b |
| Association | CEGL004106 Paper-mulberry Ruderal Forest | CEGL004106 | 1.B.1.Na.90.b |
| Association | CEGL006627 Osage-orange Ruderal Forest | CEGL006627 | 1.B.1.Na.90.b |
| Association | CEGL007037 Chinese Tallow Ruderal Forest | CEGL007037 | 1.B.1.Na.90.b |
| Association | CEGL007192 Silktree Ruderal Forest | CEGL007192 | 1.B.1.Na.90.b |
Concept Lineage: parts of A.222, A.257, A.2021, A.2028
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- Burns, R. M., and B. H. Honkala, technical coordinators. 1990b. Silvics of North America. Volume 2: Hardwoods. Agriculture Handbook 654. USDA Forest Service, Washington, DC. 877 pp.
- Burton, J. D. 1990. Maclura pomifera (Raf.) Schneid., Osage-orange. In: R. M. Burns and B. H. Honkala, technical coordinators. Silvics of North America. Volume 2: Hardwoods. Agriculture Handbook 654. USDA Forest Service, Washington, DC. 877 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.
- Kershner, B., D. Mathews, G. Nelson, and R. Spellenberg. 2008. Field guide to trees of North America. National Wildlife Foundation. Sterling Publishing Co, Inc., New York.