Name:
Eleocharis palustris Seasonally Flooded Herbaceous Alliance
Reference:
Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This herbaceous wetland alliance occurs in shallow, mostly still water throughout the much of the western United States and central Great Plains, from sea level to alpine. Stands occur on a variety of landforms including lake margins, stream terraces, floodplains, gravel bars, and wet basins (cienegas). Sites are flat to gently sloping on any aspect. Soils and parent materials are variable, but often highly organic and derived from alluvium. Surface water is typically present for an extended period during the growing season, and the high water table remains high most of the year. The vegetation is characterized by a sparse to dense herbaceous layer that is dominated or codominated by Eleocharis palustris, a facultative wetland species. Because of the variety of habitats where this alliance occurs, associated species are diverse. Characteristic associates include several species of Carex, Juncus, and Scirpus, most notably Carex praegracilis and Juncus balticus. Other important graminoids are Phalaris arundinacea (= Phalaroides arundinacea), Spartina pectinata, Panicum virgatum, Deschampsia caespitosa, Distichlis spicata, and Muhlenbergia asperifolia. Forb cover is also variable, and may include Sparganium angustifolium, Lemna spp., Potamogeton spp., Berula erecta, Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum, Pedicularis groenlandica, Rhodiola integrifolia, Caltha leptosepala, Mentha arvensis, Rumex crispus, Iris missouriensis, and Ranunculus cymbalaria. Diagnostic of this herbaceous wetland alliance is the dominance or codominance of Eleocharis palustris and the presence of surface water for extended periods during the growing season.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.19575.ELEOCHARISPALUS
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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