Name:
Carex stricta - Valeriana edulis - Parnassia palustris Herbaceous Vegetation
Reference:
Midwestern Ecology Working Group...
Description:
This prairie tussock sedge fen is found on seepage slopes in the prairie region of the central midwestern United States (centered in eastern Iowa). Stands are typically situated partially upslope, where groundwater seeps out of the hillside. Stands generally occur on accumulated peat. Soils are organic, and soil pH is typically neutral to slightly acidic (6.5-7.0) and never very alkaline. The vegetation is dominated by Carex stricta, a tussock-forming sedge that creates a hummock-hollow microtopography, and Eupatorium maculatum. Other common associates include Asclepias incarnata, Symphyotrichum puniceum (= Aster puniceus), Doellingeria umbellata (= Aster umbellatus), Calamagrostis canadensis, Carex spp. (including Carex interior and Carex prairea), Eupatorium perfoliatum, Helianthus grosseserratus, Helenium autumnale, Lobelia siphilitica, Pedicularis lanceolata, Pycnanthemum virginianum, Schoenoplectus acutus (= Scirpus acutus), and Viola nephrophylla. Common shrubs include Salix X bebbii and Salix discolor. Herbaceous species unique or more common to this type in eastern Iowa as compared to other types in western Iowa include (with constancy >20%) Chelone glabra, Fragaria virginiana, Gentiana andrewsii, Geum aleppicum, Lythrum alatum, Onoclea sensibilis, Oxypolis rigidior, Phlox maculata, Saxifraga pensylvanica, Oligoneuron riddellii (= Solidago riddellii), and Thelypteris palustris. Shrubs include Cornus amomum, Salix candida, and Spiraea alba. Fen indicators, with variable constancy (and some rare), include Eriophorum angustifolium, Liparis loeselii, Muhlenbergia glomerata, Parnassia glauca, Parnassia palustris, Rhynchospora capillacea, Triglochin palustris, and Valeriana edulis.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.22494.CAREXSTRICTAVAL
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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