ILLUSTRATED FLORA OF EAST TEXAS - Brit - Botanical Research ...
ILLUSTRATED FLORA OF EAST TEXAS - Brit - Botanical Research ...
ILLUSTRATED FLORA OF EAST TEXAS - Brit - Botanical Research ...
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122 INTRODUCTION/VEGETATION <strong>OF</strong> POST OAK SAVANNAH<br />
with the Wet Herbaceous Seeps/hillside bogs/hanging bogs of the Pineywoods, but in general<br />
they have fewer species than the floristically richer bogs further east (Bridges & Orzell<br />
1989b). In addition, “muck bogs,” limited in Texas to the Post Oak Savannah, differ from<br />
most other East Texas bogs in a number of characteristics (e.g., they can have deep peat<br />
deposits) and generally share fewer than 50% of their species with other bog types (e.g., hillside<br />
seepage bogs) further east (MacRoberts & MacRoberts 1998e, 2001).<br />
Many bog species (e.g., Sarracenia alata, Eriocaulon spp., Rhynchospora spp., Xyris spp.)<br />
reach their northwesternmost distribution in the state— and in the southeastern U.S.— in<br />
bogs at the Gus Engeling Wildlife Management Area in Anderson County (Singhurst et al.<br />
2003b). As such, these bogs appear to “represent the western limit of the southeastern flora<br />
at this latitude (31º 58' N)” (Singhurst et al. 2003b).<br />
WATER OAK-POST OAK FLOODPLAIN FORESTS—Floodplain forests in the Post Oak Savannah (Fig. 71)<br />
tend to be dominated by various oak species, the particular forest composition depending on<br />
proximity to the Pineywoods—in general, there is higher species diversity to the east. In some<br />
areas, Quercus nigra (water oak) and Quercus stellata (post oak) “may be codominant in lowlying<br />
flatwoods, along drainages, and in floodplains, with elms, green ash, eastern red-cedar,<br />
and other species of adjacent mesic woods or floodplains” (Bezanson 2000). Vines, including<br />
Vitis spp. (grapes), Toxicodendron radicans (poison-ivy), and Berchemia scandens (rattan-vine),<br />
and a ground layer of Arundinaria gigantea (switchcane), sedges (various Cyperaceae), Elymus<br />
virginicus (Virginia wild rye), Chasmanthium species (wood-oats), and other grasses and<br />
numerous forest forbs are typical. In the eastern part of the region, southeastern species such<br />
as Quercus phellos (willow oak) may be present (Bezanson 2000).<br />
FIG. 71/FLOODPLAIN FOREST IN POST OAK SAVANNAH,LICK CREEK PARK,<br />
BRAZOS,CO.(PHOTO BY JIM MANHART).<br />
SUGARBERRY-ELM FLOODPLAIN FORESTS—<br />
Wooded slopes and floodplains of<br />
smaller streams draining the base-rich<br />
soils of the Blackland Prairies and adjacent<br />
Post Oak Savannahs are characterized<br />
by forests of Ulmus crassifolia<br />
(cedar elm), Celtis laevigata (sugarberry),<br />
Fraxinus pennsylvanica (green ash),<br />
Ulmus americana (American elm), Acer<br />
negundo (boxelder), Carya illinoinensis<br />
(pecan), Sapindus saponaria (western<br />
soapberry), and other species (Bezanson<br />
2000). “Sugarberry, elms, green ash,<br />
and boxelder may be common in earlysuccessional<br />
woodlands in drainages<br />
and floodplains throughout eastern<br />
and central Texas. Vines are often<br />
abundant, including Virginia-creeper,<br />
rattan-vine, poison-ivy, and peppervine.<br />
Giant ragweed and other weedy<br />
forbs are often abundant. If relatively<br />
undisturbed, the understory should<br />
include long-leaf spikegrass, sedges,<br />
Virginia wild rye, white avens, ruellias…,<br />
and other forbs and grasses. River banks