MAJOR PLANT COMMUNITIES OF NORTH CAROLINA 
B. W. Wells 
In this paper an attempt is made for the first time to present the 
fundamental plant communities occurring in the geographical area 
of North Carolina on the basis of a simple modern system of ecological 
classification. 
Only a few states equal North Carolina in ecological interest, for 
when one considers the climatic range indicated by the balsam fir and 
and the palmetto and the numerous and remarkable edaphic commu¬ 
nities of the Coastal Plain, it may be readily seen that the area of the 
State is extraordinarily rich in the most striking ecological situations. 
To encompass within the space of a single article an outline of the 
main vegetational features of such an ecologically rich area has meant 
consistent elimination throughout of all minor data; as indicated in 
the title, only the outstanding situations under the various topics treated 
are given. 
With regard to habitat considerations, however, it must be stated that 
brevity here is necessary, more because data based on instrumental 
research are entirely lacking. However, tentative suggestions are pre¬ 
sented which are believed to be of significance in relation to the 
physiognomic characters delineating the formations. 
Ecological study in this State is thus very definitely in the primary 
descriptive stage. It is to be hoped that the present descriptive paper 
may make better known the remarkable diversity of conditions in the 
Southeastern States to the end that investigators of habitat factors 
may be attracted by the number and variety of the problems found 
here. 
Before presenting the essential part of the paper, it will be desirable 
to define the important terms used. 
DEFINITION OF TERMS 
Formation. A major physiognomically distinctive vegetation (domi¬ 
nants) associated with a major distinctive habitat. 
Association. A subdivision of the formation characterized by dis¬ 
tinctive species dominance which dominance may generally be corre¬ 
lated with minor distinctive physiognomy and minor distinctive habitat. 
Climax. The culminating and persisting vegetation (formation or 
association) in a habitat which is essentially permanent; only a change 
in climate or diastrophic earth changes of geological time can disturb 
this community over extensive areas. 
