Iredell
Plant Layer
Upland depression swamp forest
Upland Depression Swamps
The uncommon Upland Depression Swamp Forest is an isolated forested wetland found in poorly drained depressions on upland ridges and flats. It occurs on unusually flat areas with hardpan soils derived from mafic rocks or slates. Habitats include shallow, seasonally rain-flooded upland basins where water stands for part of the year but is not great enough to prevent a closed tree canopy from forming. Sites which hold enough standing water can be important breeding sites for amphibians.
Upland depressions vary in size and are usually dominated by willow oak, or sometimes overcup oak, swamp white oak, basket oak or sweet gum. The shrub and herb layers are sparse but typically include greenbrier and sedges.
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Dry oak-hickory forest
Xeric hardpan forest
Piedmont Hardpan Forests
Where circumneutral clay soils develop an impermeable hardpan, the Xeric Hardpan Forest may occur. Quite rare and restricted to the Piedmont, Xeric Hardpan Forest communities have a stunted, open tree canopy. This community is found on broad upland flats in environments that are xeric because of restricted rooting depth caused by dense or shrink-swell clay, sometimes in combination with rock. Canopy density is less than in dry forests and depends more on fire and disturbance history.
The canopy is xerophytic, dominated by post oak, with or without blackjack oak, Carolina shagbark hickory or pines. Base-loving flora such as white ash, winged elm, eastern redbud, viburnums, fragrant sumac, coralberry, and curlyheads are usually common.