Florida's Native Plant Communities

Baygall

  • Loblolly bay ( Gordonia lasianthus ) is a characteristic species of baygalls.

  • Baygall in Osceola County.  Photo by Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter

Photographs belong to the photographers who allow use for FNPS purposes only.

Information

Community Variants:

Forested Seep Slope

Description:

Baygalls are wetlands with peaty substrates that form on slopes or at the base of slopes, where they are maintained by downslope seepage, typically from sandy hills. They are usually saturated, though some sites are occasionally inundated. Fire is rare or absent.


The soils are typically very acidic, creating nutrient limitations for most deciduous species and favoring evergreen trees and ericaceous shrubs.


Characteristic vegetation includes sweetbay magnolia ( Magnolia virginiana ), loblolly bay ( Gordonia lasianthus ), dahoon holly ( Ilex cassine ), red maple ( Acer rubrum ), and various mixed hardwoods.

References:

Duever, L. (1984, February). Florida’s natural communities: Seepage communities. The Palmetto, 4(1), 1–2, 10–11. http://fnps.org/assets/pdf/palmetto/v04i1p1duever.pdf


Florida Department of Environmental Protection. (1992). Soil and water relationships of Florida's ecological communities. http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/wetlands/delineation/docs/soil-and-water.pdf


Florida Natural Areas Inventory. (2010). Guide to the natural communities of Florida: 2010 edition. Florida Natural Areas Inventory. http://fnai.org/naturalcommguide.cfm


Florida Natural Areas Inventory, & Florida Department of Natural Resources. (1990). Guide to the natural communities of Florida. Florida Natural Areas Inventory. http://fnai.org/PDF/Natural_Communities_Guide_1990.pdf


Knight, G. R., Oetting, J. B., & Cross, L. (2011). Atlas of Florida's natural heritage: Biodiversity, landscapes, stewardship and opportunities. Institute of Science and Public Affairs, Florida State University.


Myers, R. L., & Ewel, J. J. (Eds.). (1990). Ecosystems of Florida. University of Central Florida Press.


U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service. (198-). 26 ecological communities of Florida. http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00000110/00001


Whitney, E. N., Means, D. B., & Rudloe, A. (2004). Priceless Florida: Natural ecosystems and native species. Pineapple Press.

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