Name:
Myrica gale - Chamaedaphne calyculata / Carex exilis Shrub Herbaceous Vegetation
Reference:
Eastern Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
Coastal Plain poor fen that is currently known from the northeastern United States. This weakly minerotrophic peatland overlies sand and gravel deposits. Sedges are dominant and commonly overtop the dwarf-shrub layer, which can be patchy and scattered. The dwarf-shrub layer is dominated by Myrica gale and Chamaedaphne calyculata plus Vaccinium macrocarpon, Gaylussacia dumosa, Spiraea alba var. latifolia (= Spiraea latifolia), Spiraea tomentosa, and sometimes Alnus incana ssp. rugosa or Decodon verticillatus. The herbaceous layer is very well-developed and dominated by sedges, including Carex exilis, Carex bullata, Carex lasiocarpa, Carex rostrata, Carex striata, Cladium mariscoides, Rhynchospora alba, Rhynchospora capitellata, Rhynchospora fusca, Eriophorum virginicum, and occasionally Scirpus longii. Additional herbs include Juncus canadensis, Juncus pelocarpus, Drosera intermedia, Drosera rotundifolia, Triadenum virginicum, Utricularia gibba (= Utricularia fibrosa), Utricularia purpurea, Pogonia ophioglossoides, Calopogon tuberosus, Sarracenia purpurea, and Eleocharis tuberculosa. Sphagnum mosses are abundant including Sphagnum bartlettianum, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum flavicomans, Sphagnum magellanicum, Sphagnum recurvum, Sphagnum papillosum, Sphagnum torreyanum, and Sphagnum henryense. Scattered, stunted trees, especially Chamaecyparis thyoides and Acer rubrum, may be present. Key diagnostic features are the presence of Coastal Plain indicators amidst acidic fen vegetation, such as Carex exilis, Carex striata, Sphagnum torreyanum, and Gaylussacia dumosa.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.25772.MYRICAGALECHAMA
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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