Vegetation Classification and Mapping Project Report - USGS
Vegetation Classification and Mapping Project Report - USGS
Vegetation Classification and Mapping Project Report - USGS
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<strong>USGS</strong>-NPS <strong>Vegetation</strong> <strong>Mapping</strong> Program<br />
Colonial National Historical Park<br />
COMMON NAME (PARK-SPECIFIC): MESIC MIXED HARDWOOD FOREST<br />
SYNONYMS<br />
USNVC English Name: American Beech - (White Oak, Northern Red Oak) - Tuliptree<br />
/ (American Holly) / Christmas Fern Forest<br />
USNVC Scientific Name: Fagus gr<strong>and</strong>ifolia - Quercus (alba, rubra) - Liriodendron<br />
tulipifera / (Ilex opaca var. opaca) / Polystichum acrostichoides<br />
Forest<br />
USNVC Identifier: CEGL006075<br />
LOCAL INFORMATION<br />
Environmental Description: This deciduous forest occurs on mesic, lower slopes <strong>and</strong> ravines<br />
over well-drained, acidic soils. It is occasionally found on upl<strong>and</strong> flats above ravine slopes.<br />
<strong>Vegetation</strong> Description: The canopy is composed of variable combinations of Fagus<br />
gr<strong>and</strong>ifolia (American beech), Quercus alba (white oak), Quercus rubra (northern red oak), <strong>and</strong><br />
Liriodendron tulipifera (tuliptree). Some st<strong>and</strong>s may be strongly dominated by a single tree,<br />
typically Fagus gr<strong>and</strong>ifolia (American beech), Quercus alba (white oak), or Liriodendron<br />
tulipifera (tuliptree). Other canopy associates include Carya alba (mockernut hickory),<br />
Liquidambar styraciflua (sweetgum), Quercus phellos (willow oak), <strong>and</strong> Pinus taeda (loblolly<br />
pine). The subcanopy <strong>and</strong> shrub layers are characterized by moderately to strongly abundant Ilex<br />
opaca var. opaca (American holly); Asimina triloba (pawpaw) is often locally dominant. Other<br />
common trees <strong>and</strong> shrubs can include Acer rubrum (red maple), Carpinus caroliniana (American<br />
hornbeam), Cornus florida (flowering dogwood), Euonymus americanus (strawberry bush),<br />
Kalmia latifolia (mountain laurel), Nyssa sylvatica (blackgum), <strong>and</strong> Oxydendrum arboreum<br />
(sourwood). Common woody vines in this forest are Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia<br />
creeper), Toxicodendron radicans (eastern poison ivy), Vitis rotundifolia (muscadine), <strong>and</strong> the<br />
exotic vine Lonicera japonica (Japanese honeysuckle). The herbaceous stratum is sparse to<br />
absent, although the exotic grass Microstegium vimineum (Nepalese browntop) may form<br />
continuous cover in some st<strong>and</strong>s. The most constant species are Mitchella repens<br />
(partridgeberry) <strong>and</strong> Polystichum acrostichoides (Christmas fern). Other characteristic herbs<br />
include Carex albicans (whitetinge sedge), Carex digitalis (slender woodl<strong>and</strong> sedge), Carex<br />
laxiculmis var. laxiculmis, Chimaphila maculata (striped prince's pine), Hexastylis virginica<br />
(Virginia heartleaf), Luzula acuminata (hairy woodrush), Dichanthelium boscii (Bosc's<br />
panicgrass), Dichanthelium dichotomum (cypress panicgrass), Galium circaezans (licorice<br />
bedstraw), Houstonia purpurea (Venus' pride), Maianthemum racemosum ssp. racemosum<br />
(feathery false lily of the valley), Phegopteris hexagonoptera (broad beechfern), Polygonatum<br />
biflorum var. biflorum (smooth Solomon's-seal), <strong>and</strong> Uvularia perfoliata (perfoliate bellwort).<br />
The dominant canopy species may vary from st<strong>and</strong> to st<strong>and</strong>. The shrub stratum of some st<strong>and</strong>s<br />
may have scattered Kalmia latifolia (mountain laurel) or lack Ilex opaca var. opaca (American<br />
holly). The herbaceous stratum of some st<strong>and</strong>s may be dominated by the exotic Microstegium<br />
vimineum (Nepalese browntop).<br />
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