Mixed Evergreen/Hardwood Forests

Shortleaf Pine-Oak-Hickory Forests are dominated by shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata) with major associates including white oak, black oak, and loblolly pine. Understory vegetation may include flowering dogwood and yaupon.

Longleaf Pine-Scrub Oak Forests are dominated by longleaf pine interspersed with loblolly and shortleaf pine. Associated hardwoods can include sweetgum, southern red oak, mockernut hickory, post oak, blackjack oak (Quercus marilandica), bluejack oak (Q. incana). In the southern part of the state, yaupon (Ilex vomitoria) is common in the understory.

Longleaf Pine Savannas are flat areas with variable moisture and soil textures. Fire maintains the pine as the subclimax dominant. Understory species may include Nyssa sylvatica (blackgum), sweetgum, Myrica cerifera (wax myrtle) and yaupon. Various grasses and herbs comprise the herbaceous layer.

Dry Woodlands and Sandhills occur in hilly areas on sandy soils. The sandhills in east-central Mississippi are prehistoric beach dunes. Due to moisture and nutrient stress, trees on these sites are stunted and commonly include bluejack oak, blackjack oak, and post oak. The understory is herbaceous.