Vegetation Classification and Mapping Project Report - USGS

USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program
Colonial National Historical Park
COMMON NAME (PARK-SPECIFIC): TIDAL SHRUB SWAMP (WAX MYRTLE
TYPE)
SYNONYMS
USNVC English Name: Wax-myrtle - Swamp Rose / Eastern Marsh Fern Shrubland
USNVC Scientific Name: Morella cerifera - Rosa palustris / Thelypteris palustris var.
pubescens Shrubland
USNVC Identifier: CEGL004656
LOCAL INFORMATION
Environmental Description: Tidal Shrub Swamp (Wax Myrtle Type) includes tidally flooded
shrublands of estuarine rivers and embayments. These shrub swamps frequently occur in fringes
or ecotones between emergent tidal wetlands and swamp forests or uplands and typically contain
species characteristic of both tidal marshes and swamp forests. The substrate is deep muck.
Vegetation Description: Tidal Shrub Swamp (Wax Myrtle Type) may have a very dense to
open shrub canopy dominated by Morella cerifera (wax myrtle) in association with Typha
angustifolia (narrowleaf cattail). There may be scattered trees, but canopy cover is less than 25%
cover. Acer rubrum (red maple) is typical. Seedlings and saplings from adjacent swamp forest or
other species from tidal marsh communities may also occur with low cover.
Most Abundant Species:
Stratum Lifeform
Species
Shrub/sapling (tall & short)
Broad-leaved evergreen shrub
Morella cerifera (wax myrtle)
Characteristic Species: Morella cerifera (wax myrtle).
Other Noteworthy Species: Information not available.
Subnational Distribution with Crosswalk Data:
State SRank Rel Conf SName
Reference
VA SNR* B 1 Tidal Shrub Swamp
Fleming et al. 2006
Local Range: Tidal Shrub Swamp (Wax Myrtle Type) is found in small patches in the vicinity
of Yorktown, along Colonial Parkway, Ringfield / King Creek, and at College Creek / Kingsmill.
It covers a total of 4.2 hectares (10.4 acres).
Classification Comments: Tidal Shrub Swamp (Wax Myrtle Type) is distinguished from Salt
Scrub by occurring adjacent to tidal marsh and being swampy (wet and mucky) without the
sandy shrubland component found in Salt Scrub.
Other Comments: Tidal Shrub Swamp (Wax Myrtle Type) occurs as very small areas in
Colonial National Historical Park, often developing where the Colonial Parkway has cut across
tidal marsh.
Local Description Authors: K. D. Patterson.
Plots: None.
Colonial National Historical Park Inventory Notes: Information not available.
GLOBAL INFORMATION
USNVC CLASSIFICATION
Physiognomic Class Shrubland (III)
Physiognomic Subclass Evergreen shrubland (III.A.)
Physiognomic Group Temperate broad-leaved evergreen shrubland (III.A.2.)
Physiognomic Subgroup Natural/Semi-natural temperate broad-leaved evergreen shrubland (III.A.2.N.)
Formation Tidal broad-leaved evergreen temperate shrubland (III.A.2.N.l.)
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