Element Identifiers
NVCS association: Chamaecyparis thyoides - Sabal palmetto Forest
Database Code: CEGL008598
Formation: Saturated temperate or subpolar needle-leaved evergreen forest
Alliance: CHAMAECYPARIS THYOIDES SATURATED FOREST ALLIANCE (I.A.8.N.g.2)
Element Concept
Summary: This association includes hydric hammock forests dominated by Chamaecyparis thyoides, Sabal palmetto, and Magnolia virginiana, with Quercus nigra, Persea palustris, Gordonia lasianthus, and Pinus serotina at lower cover values. The subcanopy additionally has Ilex cassine, Acer rubrum, and Nyssa biflora. Shrubs are prominent, dominated by Sabal palmetto, Serenoa repens, Ilex coriacea, Ilex cassine, Illicium parviflorum, Chamaecyparis thyoides, Rhapidophyllum hystrix, Agarista populifolia, and Lyonia lucida. This association occurs in saturated, high-pH areas along streams in north-central Florida. It is documented along Mormon Branch on Ocala National Forest.
Environment: This association occurs in high-pH, saturated areas along streams in the Florida peninsula. These areas have some calcareous influence. Soil pH is between 6.6 and 7.5 in peninsular Florida white-cedar forests.
Vegetation: The forest canopy is dominated by Chamaecyparis thyoides, Sabal palmetto, and Magnolia virginiana, with Quercus nigra, Persea palustris, Gordonia lasianthus, and Pinus serotina at lower cover values. The subcanopy additionally has Ilex cassine, Acer rubrum, and Nyssa biflora. Shrubs are prominent, dominated by Sabal palmetto, Serenoa repens, Ilex coriacea, Ilex cassine, Illicium parviflorum, Chamaecyparis thyoides, Rhapidophyllum hystrix, Agarista populifolia, and Lyonia lucida. Other shrubs and vines are Pieris phillyreifolia, Vaccinium formosum (= Vaccinium corymbosum), Quercus nigra, Morella caroliniensis (= Myrica cerifera), Cephalanthus occidentalis, Callicarpa americana, Rhododendron viscosum, Lyonia ligustrina, Gelsemium sempervirens, Toxicodendron radicans, Euonymus americana, and Ilex glabra.
Dynamics: These forests are prone to infrequent fire which may burn at moderate intensity. This type of disturbance helps maintain the diversity of trees and shrubs characteristic of this community.
Similar Associations:
Chamaecyparis thyoides / Magnolia virginiana - Cliftonia monophylla / Orontium aquaticum - Sphagnum spp. Forest (CEGL007151)
Synonymy: No information
Comments: None
Conservation Ranking & Rare Species
GRank: G2 (02-05-15): This association is limited to north-central Florida, and a specific saturated, high-pH substrate.
High-ranked species: No information
Element Distribution
Range: This association is limited to north-central Florida.
States: FL
Crosswalk to State Classifications: Not yet cross-referenced to state classifications
TNC Ecoregions: 55:C
USFS Ecoregions: 232Bf:CCC
Federal Lands: USFS (Ocala)
Element Sources
References: Myers and Ewel 1990, NatureServe Ecology - Southeast U.S. unpubl. data
Hydric Hammocks and Forested Marsh Islands
Cedar - Live Oak - Cabbage Palmetto Marsh Hammock
Element Identifiers
NVCS association: Juniperus virginiana var. silicicola - (Quercus virginiana, Sabal palmetto) Forest
Database Code: CEGL007813
Formation: Lowland temperate seasonal evergreen forest
Alliance: QUERCUS VIRGINIANA - (SABAL PALMETTO) FOREST ALLIANCE (I.A.4.N.a.4)
Element Concept
Summary: This association occupies marsh hammocks (small islands surrounded by tidal marsh) along the South Atlantic Coast from eastern North Carolina south through South Carolina and Georgia to northeastern Florida. The canopy can be relatively open or completely closed. Juniperus virginiana var. silicicola typically dominates the canopy, while other species such as Quercus virginiana, Sabal palmetto, and Celtis laevigata var. laevigata may be present. This association is related to other associations in this alliance in the same geographic range but differs in being shorter in stature, juniper-dominated, with fewer strata, and floristically depauperate (often with some marsh species present).
Environment: This association occupies marsh hammocks (small islands surrounded by tidal marsh) along the South Atlantic Coast. It is also found near the edge of Lake George, Ocala National Forest in Florida.
Vegetation: Juniperus virginiana var. silicicola typically dominates the canopy, while other species, such as Quercus virginiana, Sabal palmetto, and Celtis laevigata var. laevigata, may be present. Exotic species, such as Triadica sebifera (= Sapium sebiferum), Tamarix spp., and Melia azedarach, can be invasive in these communities. On Ocala National Forest this association is additionally characterized by Quercus hemisphaerica, Callicarpa americana, Persea borbonia, Morella caroliniensis, Ageratina aromatica, Dichondra carolinensis, Oplismenus hirtellus ssp. setarius, Chasmanthium sessiliflorum, Thelypteris kunthii, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Bignonia capreolata, Toxicodendron radicans, Smilax smallii, and Vitis aestivalis.
Dynamics: This association is related to other associations in this alliance in the same geographic range but differs in being shorter in stature, juniper-dominated, with fewer strata, and floristically depauperate. These communities' simpler structure may be maintained in part by infrequent catastrophic storm events (hurricane wind and overwash events).
Similar Associations: No information
Synonymy: No information
Comments: The hydrology of this association is variable, and some examples are near the conceptual border between upland, saturated, and tidal. These communities' simpler structure may be maintained in part by infrequent catastrophic storm events (hurricane wind and overwash events). Exotic species, such as Triadica sebifera (= Sapium sebiferum), Tamarix spp., and Melia azedarach can be invasive in these communities.
Conservation Ranking & Rare Species
GRank: G3? (98-12-14): This community occupies marsh hammock islands along the South Atlantic Coast of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and northern Florida. This community is restricted in occurrence, and most occurrences are small, but threats are few.
High-ranked species: No information
Element Distribution
Range: This association is found along the South Atlantic Coast from eastern North Carolina south through South Carolina and Georgia to northeastern Florida.
States: FL GA NC SC
Crosswalk to State Classifications: Not yet cross-referenced to state classifications
TNC Ecoregions: 55:C, 56:C, 57:C
USFS Ecoregions: 232Bf:CCC, 232Cb:CCC, 232Ce:CCC, 232Ci:CCC
Federal Lands: NPS (Fort Pulaski); USFS (Ocala)
Element Sources
References:
Hydric Hammocks and Forested Marsh Islands
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