Print Report

A3442 Ilex coriacea - Ilex glabra - Kalmia latifolia Hillside Seepage Shrub Bog Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This alliance, dominated by Arundinaria tecta, Cyrilla racemiflora, Ilex coriacea, Ilex glabra, Kalmia latifolia, Morella caroliniensis, Morella cerifera, and Symplocos tinctoria, is a shrubby hillside seepage bog of the Gulf Coastal Plain maintained by fire.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Large Gallberry - Inkberry - Mountain Laurel Hillside Seepage Shrub Bog Alliance

Colloquial Name: Gulf Coastal Plain Hillside Seepage Shrub Bog

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: The physiognomy of this alliance is variable, depending on fire history, and can vary from densely shrubby to herbaceous. Dominant shrubs are Arundinaria tecta, Cyrilla racemiflora, Ilex coriacea, Ilex glabra, Kalmia latifolia, Morella caroliniensis, Morella cerifera, and Symplocos tinctoria. This community is a hillside seepage bog of the Gulf Coastal Plain found in a steep, historically longleaf pine-dominated landscape, maintained by fire.

Diagnostic Characteristics: These are shrub-dominated seepage wetlands of the West and Upper East Gulf coastal plains. Dominant shrubs are Arundinaria tecta, Cyrilla racemiflora, Ilex coriacea, Ilex glabra, Kalmia latifolia, Morella caroliniensis, Morella cerifera, and Symplocos tinctoria.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Limited to shrub-dominated seepage wetlands of the West Gulf Coastal Plain and Upper East Gulf Coastal Plain.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: These are evergreen shrub-dominated seepage wetlands.

Floristics: Dominant shrubs are Arundinaria tecta (= Arundinaria gigantea ssp. tecta), Cyrilla racemiflora, Ilex coriacea, Ilex glabra, Kalmia latifolia, Morella caroliniensis, Morella cerifera (= Myrica cerifera var. cerifera), and Symplocos tinctoria. Herbaceous plants are mainly ferns and wetland graminoid herbs, such as Rhynchospora spp., are present in patches, and are especially evident following fire.

Dynamics:  The physiognomy is shrub-dominated but variable, depending on fire history, and can vary from densely shrubby to herbaceous in patches.
Environmental Description:  This community is a hillside seepage bog in a steep, historically longleaf pine-dominated landscape, maintained by fire. These wetlands generally remain saturated from seepage.
Geographic Range: This alliance occurs in the West Gulf Coastal Plain of Louisiana and eastern Texas and Upper East Gulf Coastal Plain of Alabama and perhaps Mississippi. This vegetation occurs within the former range of longleaf pine.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AL, LA, MS?, TX


Confidence Level: Low

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 A3442 Large Gallberry - Inkberry - Mountain Laurel Hillside Seepage Shrub Bog Alliance A3442 2.C.2.Nb.1.a
Association CEGL003530 (Sweetbay) / Large Gallberry - Southern Bayberry Seepage Bog CEGL003530 2.C.2.Nb.1.a
Association CEGL008548 Wax-myrtle - Mountain Laurel - Horsesugar / Cinnamon Fern Seepage Bog CEGL008548 2.C.2.Nb.1.a
Association CEGL008550 (Large Gallberry, Inkberry) / Cinnamon Fern - Fringed Meadowbeauty Seepage Bog CEGL008550 2.C.2.Nb.1.a
Concept Lineage: A.1463 & A.802, in parts

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: >< Sweetbay - Swamp Tupelo / Osmunda Loamy Wet Forested Seeps (Turner et al. 1999)
Concept Author(s): C. Nordman, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: C. Nordman

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 09-26-14
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  • Diamond, D. D. 1993. Classification of the plant communities of Texas (series level). Unpublished document. Texas Natural Heritage Program, Austin. 25 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.
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  • Martin, D. L., and L. M. Smith. 1993. A survey and description of the natural plant communities of the Kisatchie National Forest, Evangeline and Catahoula districts. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Baton Rouge. 274 pp.
  • Turner, R. L., J. E. Van Kley, L. S. Smith, and R. E. Evans. 1999. Ecological classification system for the national forests and adjacent areas of the West Gulf Coastal Plain. The Nature Conservancy, Nacogdoches, TX. 95 pp. plus appendices.