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A3679 Carya illinoinensis - Ulmus crassifolia - Celtis laevigata Floodplain Forest Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This vegetation is primarily dominated by Carya illinoinensis, Celtis laevigata, and Ulmus crassifolia, but may also contain Quercus fusiformis, Quercus palustris, and other Quercus species. Examples are found in the floodplains of medium and larger rivers, as well as along small and intermittent streams in Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Pecan - Cedar Elm - Sugarberry Floodplain Forest Alliance

Colloquial Name: Pecan - Cedar Elm - Sugarberry Floodplain Forest

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: Stands of this alliance are primarily dominated by Carya illinoinensis, Celtis laevigata var. laevigata (to the east), Celtis laevigata var. reticulata (to the west), and Ulmus crassifolia, but may also contain Quercus fusiformis, Quercus palustris, and other Quercus species. Other woody species that are characteristic include Fraxinus pennsylvanica and Ilex decidua. Some characteristic graminoids include Carex cherokeensis, Chasmanthium sessiliflorum, and Elymus virginicus. In the Edwards Plateau, South Texas Plains, and eastern Trans-Pecos of Texas, some additional important species may include Diospyros texana, Fraxinus berlandieriana, Fraxinus albicans, Juniperus ashei, and Quercus macrocarpa. Examples are found in the floodplains of medium and larger rivers, as well as along small and intermittent streams of the East-Central Texas Plains, Texas Blackland Prairie regions, Crosstimbers, and the southeastern edge of the Central Great Plains, including the eastern Edwards Plateau and the Lampasas Cutplain. This range includes Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Diagnostic Characteristics: These are floodplain forests of east-central Texas and related regions primarily dominated by Carya illinoinensis, Celtis laevigata var. laevigata (to the east), Celtis laevigata var. reticulata (to the west), and Ulmus crassifolia.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: These are floodplain forests of east-central Texas and related regions primarily dominated by Carya illinoinensis, Celtis laevigata var. laevigata (to the east), Celtis laevigata var. reticulata (to the west), and Ulmus crassifolia. This alliance is defined partly by its floristic composition and partly by its biogeographic setting. This biogeographic setting is well west of the distribution of some taxa that are dominant constituents of related forests in the more humid Southeast. It is well understood that floodplain taxa extend their ranges west into otherwise inhospitable regions along major watercourses and their major tributaries. One association (CEGL002087) appears to be more wide-ranging, but these other areas may simply be peripheral to its core distribution.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Canopy closure is variable, from open to closed. Some of these forests often have the aspect of gallery forests, occurring as narrow bands along rivers or streams in regions with unforested adjacent slopes.

Floristics: Stands of this alliance are primarily dominated by Carya illinoinensis, Celtis laevigata var. laevigata (to the east), Celtis laevigata var. reticulata (to the west), and Ulmus crassifolia, but may also contain Quercus fusiformis, Quercus palustris, and other Quercus species. Other woody species that are characteristic include Fraxinus pennsylvanica and Ilex decidua. Some characteristic graminoids include Carex cherokeensis, Chasmanthium sessiliflorum, and Elymus virginicus. In the Edwards Plateau, South Texas Plains, and eastern Trans-Pecos of Texas, some additional important species may include Diospyros texana, Fraxinus berlandieriana, Fraxinus albicans (= Fraxinus texensis), Juniperus ashei, and Quercus macrocarpa.

Dynamics:  This vegetation is found in the floodplains of medium and larger rivers, as well as along small and intermittent streams. It is primarily affected by flooding and scouring processes.
Environmental Description:  This alliance contains mixed woodlands that occupy river- or stream-associated sites.
Geographic Range: This alliance is found in the floodplains of medium and larger rivers, as well as along small and intermittent streams of the East Central Texas Plains, Texas Blackland Prairie regions, Crosstimbers, and the southeastern edge of the Central Great Plains, including the eastern Edwards Plateau and the Lampasas Cutplain. This range includes Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas. One association (CEGL002087) appears to be more wide-ranging, but these other areas may simply be peripheral to its core distribution.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AR, KS, LA, OK, TX


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.5 Pecan - Sugarberry - Bur Oak Floodplain Forest & Woodland Macrogroup M154 1.B.3.Nb.5
Group 1.B.3.Nb.5.a Southeastern Great Plains Floodplain Forest Group G784 1.B.3.Nb.5.a
Alliance A3679 Pecan - Cedar Elm - Sugarberry Floodplain Forest Alliance A3679 1.B.3.Nb.5.a
Association CEGL002087 Pecan - Sugarberry Floodplain Forest CEGL002087 1.B.3.Nb.5.a
Association CEGL002153 Texas Live Oak - (Netleaf Hackberry, Cedar Elm) Floodplain Woodland CEGL002153 1.B.3.Nb.5.a
Association CEGL004200 Pecan - Cedar Elm / Virginia Wildrye Floodplain Forest CEGL004200 1.B.3.Nb.5.a
Association CEGL004207 Cedar Elm - (Pecan) Floodplain Forest CEGL004207 1.B.3.Nb.5.a
Association CEGL004618 Green Ash - Cedar Elm - Sugarberry Floodplain Forest CEGL004618 1.B.3.Nb.5.a
Association CEGL008468 Cedar Elm - Sugarberry / Possum-haw / Virginia Wildrye Floodplain Forest CEGL008468 1.B.3.Nb.5.a
Concept Lineage: Associations in this alliance come from a variety of old alliances: A.282 (2/4); A.283 (4/9); A.329 (1/14); A.663 (1/1).

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
Concept Author(s): M. Pyne, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: M. Pyne

Acknowledgements: We have incorporated significant descriptive information previously compiled by J. Teague.

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.
  • Amos, B. B., and F. R. Gehlbach. 1988. Edwards Plateau vegetation: Plant ecological studies in central Texas. Baylor University Press, Waco, TX. 144 pp.
  • 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.
  • Ford, A. L., and O. W. Van Auken. 1982. The distribution of woody species in the Guadalupe River floodplain forest in the Edwards Plateau of Texas. The Southwestern Naturalist 27:383-392.