On the southern Atlantic coastal plain, mesic slope forest is found on steep slopes, bluffs, and sheltered ravines. Fire is rare. They occur on mesic soils, and contain species not found in other forest systems in the area. These include American beech (Fagus grandifolia), southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), and purple anise (Illicium floridanum). The related east Gulf coastal plain northern mesic hardwood slope forest occurs to the north and has more deciduous trees.
