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A3681 Taxodium distichum - Platanus occidentalis Edwards Plateau Floodplain Forest Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: These forests are codominated by Taxodium distichum with Platanus occidentalis and are found in the Edwards Plateau. This combination of floristics and biogeography is diagnostic.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Bald-cypress - American Sycamore Edwards Plateau Floodplain Forest Alliance

Colloquial Name: Edwards Plateau Bald-cypress Gallery Forest

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: These open forests are dominated by Taxodium distichum, with Platanus occidentalis usually occurring as the second most important species. Large individuals of Taxodium distichum are typical. There is no significant midstory, but Amorpha fruticosa, Cephalanthus occidentalis, Celtis laevigata var. laevigata, Celtis laevigata var. reticulata, Sabal minor, and Salix nigra may occur as tall shrubs or small trees. The ground layer is highly disturbed by flooding and may have areas of standing water. This community occurs as narrow (5-25 m) strips along floodplains of perennial streams that run through steep-sided canyons in the Edwards Plateau of Texas. The deep, alluvial soils are usually saturated and periodically inundated during flood events. This combination of floristics and biogeography is diagnostic.

Diagnostic Characteristics: This alliance represents the forests codominated by Taxodium distichum that are found in the Edwards Plateau. This combination of floristics and biogeography is diagnostic.

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: These are open forests dominated by Taxodium distichum with Platanus occidentalis.

Floristics: These forests are dominated by Taxodium distichum, with Platanus occidentalis usually occurring as the second most important species. There is no significant midstory, but Amorpha fruticosa, Cephalanthus occidentalis, Celtis laevigata var. laevigata, Celtis laevigata var. reticulata, Sabal minor, and Salix nigra may occur as tall shrubs or small trees.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  This community occurs as narrow (10-m) strips along floodplains of perennial streams that run through steep-sided canyons. The deep, alluvial soils are usually saturated and become periodically inundated during flood events.
Geographic Range: This alliance is found in the Edwards Plateau of Texas.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  TX


Confidence Level: Low

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 A3681 Bald-cypress - American Sycamore Edwards Plateau Floodplain Forest Alliance A3681 1.B.3.Nb.5.a
Association CEGL002104 Bald-cypress - American Sycamore Edwards Plateau Floodplain Forest CEGL002104 1.B.3.Nb.5.a
Association CEGL007928 Bald-cypress - Green Ash Floodplain Forest CEGL007928 1.B.3.Nb.5.a
Concept Lineage: This alliance contains one member of A.298 (1/3).

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
  • 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.
  • Riskind, D. H., and D. D. Diamond. 1988. An introduction to environments and vegetation. Pages 1-15 in: B. B. Amos and F. R. Gehlbach, editors. Edwards Plateau vegetation: Plant ecological studies in central Texas. Baylor University Press, Waco, TX.
  • TPWD [Texas Parks and Wildlife Department]. 1991. Department lands inventory: Guadalupe River State Park -- Summary of representative plant communities. Unpublished report. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Austin. 15 pp. plus appendix.