Rich Cove Forest (Southern Appalachian)
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Where to Explore It
The Rich Cove Forest is a lush, shady natural community with tall trees, including tuliptree and white ash, and many low plants, including hairy sweet-cicely and black cohosh. (There are other cove forests; this one is found in the Southern Appalachian mountains.)
The Rich Cove Forest occurs on concave lower slopes and flats at middle elevations in the Southern Blue Ridge. It occurs at low to middle elevations in the Northern Blue Ridge and adjacent Ridge and Valley.
The range map shows the states in which this natural community has been documented.
More About This Natural Community
The Rich Cove Forest is a lush, shady natural community with tall trees including white basswood, white ash, yellow buckeye, northern red oak, and tuliptree. Many low plants grow on the forest floor, such as Canadian wood-nettle, hairy sweet-cicely, and black cohosh.
This natural community is found in sheltered spots where soil accumulates and moisture does not immediately run off—in other words, concave slopes facing north or northeast. The bedrock typically contains calcium and magnesium, which add to the fertility of the soil.
For a more in-depth look at this community, click on a link under “Where to Explore It.”
Look for It in These National Parks
- Appalachian Trail (Central Appalachians)
- Appalachian Trail (Southern Blue Ridge)
- Blue Ridge Parkway
- Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
- Shenandoah National Park
Conservation Status
How vulnerable is a natural community? Is it at risk of elimination? Learn about conservation status.
Classification
Official names reduce confusion by providing a common language for talking about natural communities. Why so many names?