Wet-Mesic Longleaf Pine Ecosystems
Physiography: Flat uplands (commonly described as flatwoods).
Soils: Poorly drained sandy clay loam to clayey soils.
Canopy Vegetation: Longleaf pine and slash pine (Pinus elliottii var. elliottii).
Subcanopy Vegetation: Sparse subcanopy.
Understory: Extremely diverse, dominated by wiregrass (Aristida stricta Michx.) and associates; also ericaecous shrubs.
Fire Interval: Typically once every 5-15 years; sufficient fuel to carry surface fires however moisture levels are typically to high.
Successional Trajectory in the Absence of Fire: Canopy succeeds toward mixed pines and hardwoods such as sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) and blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica var. sylvatica).