Name:
Eleocharis rostellata Herbaceous Vegetation
Reference:
Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This association is known from low to mid elevations in widely scattered intermontane basins and plains of the West. It is documented to occur in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Wyoming, and Colorado. Unconfirmed stands have been reported from Washington and California, and it is suspected to occur in similar habitats in Nevada and British Columbia. This association forms sharply delineated, near-monocultural stands in areas with perennially saturated or inundated hydrologic conditions. It often occurs in association with warm springs or fens with alkaline or calcareous soils at the northern limits of its range, but it is also known from cold springs in desert canyons. This association forms on soils ranging from relatively deep organic soils, to alkaline and calcareous soils (e.g., travertine), to coarse mineral soils that are directly in contact with springs or thermal waters. There are two distinct phases of this association: a dense one with 90% cover of Eleocharis rostellata, occurring on relatively deep organic soils that sometimes form a quaking mat, and an open one with less than 70% Eleocharis rostellata cover. The open phase has considerable areas of exposed soil, gravel, rock, and water and appears restricted to mineral substrates on gentle to steep slopes. Low species diversity is characteristic of the Eleocharis rostellata association, and woody vegetation is lacking or if present only as a very minor component. Common associated species with low cover include Berula erecta, Castilleja minor ssp. minor, Carex simulata, Carex nebrascensis, Carex scirpoidea, Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda, Deschampsia caespitosa, Helianthus nuttallii, Juncus balticus, Juncus torreyi, Mimulus guttatus, Muhlenbergia asperifolia, Schoenoplectus americanus (= Scirpus americanus), Symphyotrichum ascendens, and Triglochin maritima.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.24812.ELEOCHARISROSTE
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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