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| Plant Communities Four major plant community types have been identified in the area of Stennis Space Center. They are: • Pine Flatwoods, • Bottomland hardwood, • Pitcher plant bogs and swamps, and • Grasslands and marshes. |
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| These communities are identified by predominant types of vegetation. Pine Flatwoods account for the majority of the vegetation in the undeveloped portions of SSC and in the surrounding Buffer Zone. The dominant species in these communities is slash pine interspersed with some cypress, loblolly pine, swamp tupelo, red maple, and sweet gum. Oak species occur in locations that are more elevated with better drainage. The understory in these communities includes several holly species (gallberry and yaupon), sweet bay magnolia, wax myrtle, grasses, and cane. Bottomland hardwood communities occur in low, poorly-drained soils, which may have standing or slowly moving water. The dominant species in these communities are black gum, swamp tupelo, and pond cypress. The understory includes ash species, black willow, red maple, and honeysuckle. Pitcher plant bogs are unique to the coastal plain of the southeastern United States and occur in low-lying, poorly-drained areas with acidic soil. The few mature trees are generally cypress or longleaf pine species. Prominent herbaceous species in pitcher plant bogs include orchids, sundews, pitcher plants, pipeworts, and yellow-eyed grass. Grasslands often occur in disturbed areas where the land has been cleared for construction or burned. The most common grass species in the SSC area include broomsedges and panic grasses. Other plants occurring in grassland communities include cane and rushes. Native Species in Landscaping Stennis Space Center has identified several species of plants that are native to Mississippi to use in landscaping projects. The use of native plants reduces maintenance needs, water usage, and chemical disease control. The three pictures below show native landscaping using River Birch, Magnolia and Red Maple. |
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| River Birch | Magnolia | Red Maple | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Invasive Species SSC is currently working to control two invasive species located at the facility: Cogan Grass and Salvinia minima. |
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| Cogan Grass | Salvinia minima | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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