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From MA Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Fact Sheet:

"Major River Floodplain forests are deciduous forested wetland communities which develop next to rivers and streams that flood regularly in the spring. To be considered a true floodplain forest, the forest community must receive annual (or semi-annual) overbankflooding and alluvial silt deposition. In early summer after the spring floodwater’s recede, floodplain forests are recognized by their savanna-like forest structure of well-spaced, multi-trunked, tall trees over an open understory and a bare, freshly-deposited silt forest floor. By mid-summer, the floodplain forest is transformed into a lushly vegetated community with abundant woody and herbaceous vines and a tall, thick herbaceous layer dominated by ferns and nettles. All floodplain forest communities in Massachusetts have Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum) as the dominant tree taxon, but associated plant species vary depending upon the intensity and duration of flooding and on geographic location.

Environment

Major-river Floodplain Forests occur along mainstem sections of large rivers (the Connecticut, Housatonic, and Deerfield Rivers in Massachusetts). Soils are predominantly sandy loams without soil mottles and without a surface organic layer. Flooding at these sites is usually severe. An "island variant” of Major-river Floodplain Forests occurs on elevated sections of riverine islands and riverbanks of major rivers where there are high levels of disturbance.

State-protected rare plant species in Massachusetts

Six rare plant species occur primarily in floodplain forest communities in Massachusetts: Green Dragon (Arisaema dracontium, T), River Birch (Betula nigra, WL), Gray’s Sedge (Carex grayi, T), Cat-tail Sedge (Carex typhina, T), Winged Monkey-flower (Mimulus alatus, E), and Swamp Dock (Rumex verticillatus, T). Two of the species, River Birch and Winged Monkey-flower, are identified as regionally rare taxa for New England meaning that there are fewer than twenty occurrences known from the region. Five of the species (all except River Birch) are protected under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act.

Characteristic animal species in Massachusetts

Floodplain forests are insect-rich habitats that attract warblers, thrushes and other songbirds. In particular Yellow- throated and Warbling Vireos, which like to nest in the canopies of riverside trees, are frequently observed in floodplain forest communities. Raptors such as Bald Eagles and Red-shouldered Hawks also use riverbank trees as perch sites. In spring floods, Wood Ducks and Hooded Mergansers like the shady edges of floodplain forests and the interior meander scar pools. Eastern Comma Butterflies feed on elm, nettles and hops, and the shady riverbanks are patrolled by several dragonfly species such as Beaked and Fawn Darners. Where vernal pools
occur in floodplain forests, many frog species (such as Leopard, Pickerel and Red Spotted Frogs), American Toads, and Mole Salamanders can be found. Floodplain forests also provide sheltered, riverside corridors for deer and migratory songbirds.

State-protected rare animal species in Massachusetts

Of Massachusetts’ state-protected rare animal species, only the Ostrich Fern Stem Borer (Papaipema sp.2; SC) is limited to floodplain forest communities. However, many state-protected rare animal species use floodplain forests as an important component of their habitat. Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus; E) use floodplain
forests as nesting habitat along the Connecticut River, and they canoften be seen perched on floodplain forest trees facing the river. Northern Parula Warbler (Parula americana, T) can be found in floodplain forests, particularly where the moss-like lichen, Old-Man’s Beard (Usnea sp.) occurs. Associated vernal pools provide breeding habitat for Four-toed Salamanders (Hemidactylium scutatum; SC) and Eastern Spadefoot Toads (Scaphiopus holbrooki; T), and feeding habitat for Wood Turtles (Clemmys insculpta; SC) and Blanding’s Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii; T). Intact floodplain forests also provide shade for streams and rivers, and forest trees and other vegetation help to stabilize riverbanks and limit surface runoff. These functions may be important for maintaining water quality for state-protected rare freshwater mussels, such as the Dwarf Wedgemussel
(Alasmidonta heterodon; E, FE), Triangle Floater (Alasmidonta undulata; SC) and Swollen Wedgemussel (Alasmidonta varicosa; E).

SC=State Special Concern, T=State Threatened, E=StateEndangered, E, FE= Federally Endangered "

It closes down, turned key in hole clockwise. The rubber is airtight, the windows that are double pained. Not even a whisper, not even a trace. The sod lays maintained, the daisies plucked and tied into a chain, while he sits there under the canopy of shade.

Dragging feet, passing glances, sauntering bobbing heads. The migration of their bodies, a homogeneous patterned map of start to finish. The unravelled sweater and chunky belt buckle. Back pressing into the bark, old holes in shoes, he sits there hunched into hisself leaving an imprint on the ground he'd been. A sticky substance on his fingers he moves and clicks to play.

He can almost see the cancer, he can swallow the poisoned white oleander milk. . .Just a wee bit. . . Just a taste. . .