Name:
Triantha glutinosa - Carex garberi Herbaceous Vegetation
Reference:
Eastern Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
These are herb-dominated seepage communities that develop on discharge areas of the shores of larger rivers in the glaciated northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. Semi-open conditions are maintained by ice scouring and floodwaters. The circumneutral groundwater discharge supports a fen-like aspect, but on mineral rather than peat soils. The periodic disturbance and enriched nutrient conditions contribute to the high species richness of these seeps. The shore substrate may be sandy, gravelly, sometimes interspersed with bedrock. In some areas, the substrate is unconsolidated glacial material; in others, the substrate is sand and cobble held together by a tightly woven root mass. The vegetation is dominated by low to medium-height herbs, with cover usually 60-90%. Shrubs are usually present, but are often reduced to sprouts only one or a few years old due to the annual disturbance. The bryophyte layer may be locally well-developed, although not extensive overall. Characteristic herbaceous species include Lobelia kalmii, Parnassia glauca, Platanthera dilatata, Packera paupercula (= Senecio pauperculus), Triantha glutinosa (= Tofieldia glutinosa), Spiranthes lucida, Spiranthes romanzoffiana, Carex garberi, Carex viridula, Carex flava, Carex buxbaumii, Rhynchospora capillacea, Rhynchospora capitellata, Mentha arvensis, Equisetum arvense, Calamagrostis canadensis, Rubus pubescens, Doellingeria umbellata (= Aster umbellatus), Thalictrum pubescens, and Glyceria septentrionalis. Common shrubs include Alnus incana, Alnus viridis, Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda (= Pentaphylloides floribunda), Myrica gale, Spiraea alba, Salix eriocephala and other Salix species, and Cornus sericea. Bryophytes have not been well sampled across this type's range; known bryophytes include many non-sphagnous species typical of fen conditions, including Bryum pseudotriquetrum, Campylium stellatum, Philonotis fontana, and Drepanocladus spp. The invasive exotics Tussilago farfara and Lythrum salicaria may occur in these seeps.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.26942.TRIANTHAGLUTINO
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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