Piedmont Upland Depression Swamp (Willow Oak Type) – CEGL007403

One of several willow oak (Quercus phellos)-dominated upland depression swamps in flatwoods near Piney River in Amherst County.  The wetlands are developed over anorthosite, an intrusive igneous rock that weathers into soils with clay hardpans.  Both the low relief and depression swamps are quite unusual this far west in the Piedmont, practically at the foot of the Blue Ridge.