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How to Recognize It
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The Silver Maple Floodplain Forest is found on riverbanks and low floodplain terraces of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers. Most of the trees in this natural community—up to 75% of them—are silver maples, and some are quite large. Box-elder, northern spicebush, and pawpaw grow beneath the silver maples. In the spring, when flooding is common, you won’t find many spring wildflowers. However, by late summer, there are usually plenty of low plants, including wingstem and white snakeroot.
Can you find this combination of key features?
Identifying This Natural Community
- Lots of silver maple trees, some quite large (or else a young stand with similar-sized small stems)
- Box-elder in the understory
- (Optional) American sycamore trees
- Northern spicebush shrubs and pawpaw shrubs (or small trees)
- Summer blooming flowers including wingstem and white snakeroot
- (Optional) Non-native invasive plants such as Japanese stiltgrass and garlic mustard
- Location: on a sloping riverbank or a low floodplain
If so, welcome to the Silver Maple Floodplain Forest at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.
Not sure? Check out the Compare Natural Communities Tool.