Sand Laurel Oak - Pignut Hickory - Southern Magnolia / Scrub Palmetto Forest
Element Identifiers
NVCS association: Quercus hemisphaerica - Carya glabra - Magnolia grandiflora / Sabal etonia Forest
Database Code: CEGL003792
Formation: Mixed broad-leaved evergreen - cold-deciduous forest
Alliance: QUERCUS HEMISPHAERICA - CARYA GLABRA FOREST ALLIANCE (I.C.2.N.a.5)
Element Concept
Summary: These are dry-mesic to xeric hammocks of central Florida. These well-developed xeric forests are dominated by Quercus hemisphaerica, Carya glabra, and Magnolia grandiflora in the canopy, and Magnolia grandiflora and Carya glabra in the understory. This association includes what would be considered beech-magnolia forests, south of the range of Fagus grandifolia. Sabal etonia and Serenoa repens are important shrub components.
Environment: These forests occur on slopes associated with sinks and river and creek bluffs.
Vegetation: These well-developed xeric forests are dominated by Quercus hemisphaerica, Carya glabra, and Magnolia grandiflora in the canopy, and Magnolia grandiflora and Carya glabra in the understory. Other canopy or subcanopy trees include Quercus virginiana, Sabal palmetto, Osmanthus americanus, Quercus nigra, Persea borbonia, and Ilex opaca. Sabal etonia and Serenoa repens are important shrub components. Other shrubs are Osmanthus americanus, Vaccinium stamineum, Callicarpa americana, Lyonia ferruginea, Lyonia fruticosa, Quercus chapmanii, Zamia pumila, Prunus angustifolia, Prunus caroliniana, Asimina obovata, Sideroxylon lanuginosum, Rhapidophyllum hystrix, Vaccinium arboreum, Persea humilis, Diospyros virginiana, and Ilex opaca. Vines include Smilax glauca, Vitis rotundifolia, Smilax pumila, Smilax bona-nox, Smilax tamnoides (= Smilax hispida), Gelsemium sempervirens, and Parthenocissus quinquefolia. Epiphytes include Tillandsia usneoides, Tillandsia bartramii, Tillandsia recurvata, and Pleopeltis polypodioides ssp. michauxiana. The herbaceous flora includes Rhynchospora megalocarpa, Mitchella repens, Dichanthelium spp., Triphora trianthophora, Scleria triglomerata, Oplismenus hirtellus ssp. setarius, Elephantopus elatus, Galium tinctorium, Cyperus retrorsus, and Panicum sp.
Dynamics: These forests are protected from fire on slopes.
Similar Associations: No information
Synonymy: No information
Comments: None
Conservation Ranking & Rare Species
GRank: G2? (02-05-20): This association is limited to slopes in central Florida.
High-ranked species: No information
Element Distribution
Range: This association is limited to central Florida.
States: FL
Crosswalk to State Classifications:
FL: Xeric Hammock, in part (FL 1992)
TNC Ecoregions: 55:C
USFS Ecoregions: 232Bf:CCC, 232Ga:CCC
Federal Lands: USFS (Ocala)
Element Sources
References: FNAI 1992a, FNAI 1992b
Near Coastal Scrubs and Xeric Hammocks
Myrtle Oak - Sand Live Oak - Chapman Oak Shrubland
Element Identifiers
NVCS association: Quercus myrtifolia - Quercus geminata - Quercus chapmanii Shrubland
Database Code: CEGL003825
Formation: Sclerophyllous temperate broad-leaved evergreen shrubland
Alliance: QUERCUS GEMINATA - QUERCUS MYRTIFOLIA - QUERCUS CHAPMANII SHRUBLAND ALLIANCE (III.A.2.N.c.26)
Element Concept
Summary: This shrubland is a xeromorphic shrubby community consisting of evergreen scrub oaks (Quercus myrtifolia, Quercus chapmanii, Quercus geminata), Lyonia ferruginea, and other species, many with restricted distributions, such as Ceratiola ericoides and Serenoa repens. The herb layer is generally sparse and frequently dominated by lichens (Cladonia leporina, Cladonia prostrata, Cladina evansii, and Cladina subtenuis). The white or light-colored sandy soils are extremely well-drained and infertile. Oak scrub is pyrogenic with typical fire frequencies of 10-50 years, depending on fuel availability and ignition sources (Austin 1976, Myers 1990, The Nature Conservancy 1992). This community type occurs in the northern Florida panhandle, the northern to central peninsula, on Floyds Island in the Okefenokee, and possibly into southwestern Alabama. This is the more northern-central scrub oak community in Florida.
Environment: See Summary
Vegetation: See Summary
Dynamics: See Summary
Similar Associations: No information
Synonymy:
IB7b. Chapman Oak - Myrtle Oak Woodland (Allard 1990)
IB8h. Gulf Coastal Scrub (Allard 1990) B. in part
Comments: None
Conservation Ranking & Rare Species
GRank: G3 (01-01-31): This community type occurs in the northern Florida panhandle, the northern to central peninsula, on Floyds Island in the Okefenokee, and possibly into southwestern Alabama. Acreage is limited and known occurrences are small. Additionally, this community is maintained by a combination of extreme edaphic conditions (droughty sands and high summer temperatures) and periodic fire. Fire has generally been suppressed, altering and degrading occurrences of this community type.
High-ranked species: BONAMIA GRANDIFLORA (G3), APHELOCOMA COERULESCENS (G3)
Element Distribution
Range: This community type occurs in the northern Florida panhandle, the northern to central peninsula, on Floyds Island in the Okefenokee, and possibly into southwestern Alabama. This is the more northern-central scrub oak community in Florida.
States: AL? FL GA
Crosswalk to State Classifications:
FL: Scrub, in part (FL 1992)
GA: No equivalent (GA 1990)
TNC Ecoregions: 53:C, 55:C, 56:C
USFS Ecoregions: 232Bf:CCC, 232Gb:CCC
Federal Lands: DOD (Cape Canaveral); USFS (Ocala); USFWS (Okefenokee)
Element Sources
References: Allard 1990, Austin 1976, FNAI 1992a, Myers 1990, NatureServe Ecology - Southeast U.S. unpubl. data, TNC 1992
Near Coastal Scrubs and Xeric Hammocks
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