Title: Classification of Vegetation Communities of Maryland

Classification of Vegetation Communities of Maryland: First Iteration

A Subset of the International Classification of Ecological
Communities: Terrestrial Vegetation of the United States
March 2004

III. SHRUBLAND
III.B.2.N.h. Tidal cold-deciduous shrubland
A.3024—AMORPHA FRUTICOSA TIDAL SHRUBLAND ALLIANCE
Tall Indigo Bush Tidal Shrubland Alliance

AMORPHA FRUTICOSA TIDAL SHRUBLAND
Tall Indigobush Tidal Shrubland
Tall Indigobush Tidal Shrubland                                                                                        G?
Summary: This freshwater tidal shrubland occurs on tidal rivers bordering the Chesapeake Bay on sandy levees and shorelines above mean high tide. Microtopography is variable, from pronounced hummock-and-hollow to essentially flat. Soils are well-drained sands and gravel to poorly drained peat in lower-lying depressions. The shrub canopy is relatively open and characterized by Amorpha fruticosa. Other associates may include Acer rubrum, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Decodon verticillata, Ilex verticillata, and Rosa palustris. The herbaceous layer is diverse and comprised of a mixture of Osmunda regalis, Hibiscus moscheutos, Thelypteris palustris, Boehmeria cylindrica, Leersia oryzoides, Peltandra virginica, Polygonum sagittatum, Sium suave, and Typha angustifolia.

Range: This vegetation occurs central Atlantic coast at the headwaters of the Chesapeake Bay.

States/Provinces: MD:S?

TNC Ecoregions: 58:C

USFS Ecoregions: 232Ad:CCC

References: Harrison 2003

Authors: J. Harrison / L. Sneddon Confidence: 3 Identifier: CEGL006844  

- Maryland Vegetation Classification Subset Report III. Shrubland

 
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