Maritime Forest

Maritime Forest
.....The maritime forest can be distinguished from the shrub forest by its clearly defined canopy. This high canopy shades out many of the shrub forest plants. Some plants are able to survive in this low light environment and make up the understory of the forest. The soil in the forest is very moist and fertile to support these large trees. It may take up to a century for these types of soil conditions to develop. Click on a plant image to see a higher resolution image. All plant illustrations on this page are courtesy of Taylor Schoettle's A Guide to a Georgia Barrier Islands. Click here for ordering and contact info.
		Common Name: Live Oak Linnaeus Classification: Quercus virginiana Description: leathery oblong leaf, black narrow acorn
		Common Name: Sweetgum Linnaeus Classification: Liguidambar styraciflua Description: five-pointed leaf, round spiny gum balls
		Common Name: Water Oak Linnaeus Classification: Quercus nigra Description: spatula shaped leaf, yellow-brown acorn
		Common Name: Laurel Oak Linnaeus Classification: Quercus laurifolia Description: elliptical leaf, brown acorn
		Common Name: Pignut Hickory Linnaeus Classification: Carya glabra Description: five leaflets, pear-shaped nut
		Common Name: Southern Magnolia Linnaeus Classification: Magnolia grandiflora Description: shiny leaf with rusty underside, large white flowers in spring
		Common Name: Sycamore Linnaeus Classification: Platanus occidentalis Description: blotched bark, faceted balls
	Understory
		Common Name: Sparkleberry or Tree Blueberry Linnaeus Classification: Vaccinium arbureum Description: small tree w/ small shiny leaf abd black berry, clusters of pink and white flowers in spring
		Common Name: American Holly Linnaeus Classification: Ilex opaca Description: small to mid-sized tree, spiny leaf, red berries
		Common Name: Elephant's Foot Linnaeus Classification: Elephantopus tomentosus Description: hairy basal leaves, long stalk w/ purple flowers at end
		Common Name: Saw Palmetto Linnaeus Classification: Sereona ripens Description: saw-toothed edges of leaf stalks, leaflets grow out from center
		Common Name: Sassafras Linnaeus Classification: Sassafras albidum Description: small tree, lobed leaf, distinct odor
		Common Name: Coral Root Linnaeus Classification: Corallorhiza wisteriana Description: rust-colored orchid, stalk w/ few small flowers, no leaves
		Common Name: Devil's Walking Stick Linnaeus Classification: Aralia spinosa Description: whorles of thorns, long branching leaves w/ many leaflets
		Common Name: Beauty Berry Linnaeus Classification: Callicarpa americana Description: shrub w/ berries at leaf axe, sperical clusters of purple-magenta flowers in spring
		Common Name: Laurel Cherry Linnaeus Classification: Prunus caroliniana Description: small to mid-sized tree, shiny leaf w/ sharp points on leaf margin, black berry