Name:
Carex crinita - Osmunda spp. / Sphagnum spp. Southern Interior Acidic Seep Alliance
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This primarily herbaceous, acidic seep alliance, found in the Ozark, Ouachita, and Interior Plateau regions of the southeastern United States, is dominated by herbaceous species but can also have a significant shrub component. The most abundant herbaceous species include <i>Athyrium filix-femina, Carex crinita, Carex lurida</i>, and other <i>Carex</i> spp., <i>Dryopteris carthusiana, Glyceria striata, Impatiens capensis, Leersia oryzoides, Osmunda cinnamomea, Osmunda regalis</i>, and <i>Symplocarpus foetidus</i>. In some stands of this alliance, <i>Sphagnum</i> spp. occur in patches. Common shrubs in some stands include <i>Alnus serrulata, Aronia melanocarpa</i>, and <i>Physocarpus opulifolius</i>. Stands often occur in a forested setting and are small enough that the surrounding trees cast shade and otherwise affect the microenvironment. Some stands contain trees from the surrounding forest communities. Where trees do occur, <i>Acer rubrum, Betula nigra, Liquidambar styraciflua, Liriodendron tulipifera</i>, and <i>Platanus occidentalis</i> are typical. Stands of this alliance are found where groundwater flows to the surface at the edges of outwash plains, beach ridges, or at the contact between acidic gravel and bedrock. Soils are saturated sandy loams or sandy silts overlain with mucks and peats. They can be shallow to deep (40-100+ cm). There is weak nutrient input from the slightly to highly acidic (pH 3.7-6.0) groundwater. The groundwater flow is generally diffuse, but concentrated localized flows can occur, especially in the spring.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:38676-{5A274D2A-811A-481E-80E4-824A9546A2C1}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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