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CEGL004175 Sarracenia alata - Rhynchospora gracilenta - Rudbeckia scabrifolia - Schoenolirion croceum Seepage Meadow

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Yellow Trumpets - Slender Beaksedge - Roughleaf Coneflower - Yellow Sunnybell Seepage Meadow

Colloquial Name: West Gulf Coastal Plain Seepage Bog

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This wet, fire-maintained, hillside seepage community occurs on seepage slopes in sandy Pinus palustris uplands in the West Gulf Coastal Plain of eastern Texas and western Louisiana. This oligotrophic wetland is maintained by seepage at the zone between an overlaying, permeable sandy layer and a lower layer of relatively impermeable material such as sandstone or clay. The vegetation of intact examples is dominated by a dense, species-rich, graminoid-forb layer less than 1 m tall with a continuous to nearly continuous cover, typically 80-90%. Sarracenia alata is often the aspect dominant of this community. Emergent stems of Toxicodendron vernix, Magnolia virginiana, Persea borbonia, and/or Pinus palustris may be present even in well-burned examples. An emergent layer of woody stems, including Magnolia virginiana, Toxicodendron vernix, and Pinus palustris may be present. Woody shrubs have a cover of less than 10% in frequently burned examples but increase greatly with reductions in fire frequency. This type is intended to encompass the range of variation present in West Gulf Coastal Plain seepage bogs, although various authors have recognized a number of different subtypes.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Bridges and Orzell (1989a) mention three subtypes of West Gulf Coastal Plain hillside seepage herb bogs: high (upper slope) type, toeslope (lower) subtype, and rocky high hillside subtype. Nixon and Ward (1986) studied and described "basin bogs" and "slope bogs." This community appears to be most common in Louisiana on the Pleistocene Intermediate and High Terraces on certain members of the Fleming Formation and on the Catahoula Formation (especially in Vernon and Natchitoches parishes), and in Texas on the Catahoula, Willis, and the northern half of the Bentley formations (Bridges and Orzell 1989a, MacRoberts and MacRoberts 1991, Martin and Smith 1993).

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: Although the number of plant taxa present in bogs of the region varies considerably depending on size, type, degree of disturbance, 200 or more species may be present in this community with greatest representation by taxa in the Poaceae, Cyperaceae, and Asteraceae families (Nixon and Ward 1986). Many bog taxa are distributed primarily eastward reaching their western limits in this habitat. Several species such as Ctenium aromaticum and Sabatia macrophylla are found only in western Louisiana examples. Nixon and Ward (1986) listed 48 species that were present in 5 or more bogs. This list, as further modified by Bridges and Orzell (1989a), includes the following taxa with % frequencies greater than 50%: Xyris ambigua, Eriocaulon decangulare, Magnolia virginiana, Liatris pycnostachya, Aletris aurea, Morella caroliniensis (= Myrica heterophylla), Rhynchospora gracilenta, Drosera capillaris, Sarracenia alata, Eryngium integrifolium, Eupatorium rotundifolium, Ptilimnium costatum, Xyris baldwiniana, Coreopsis linifolia, Fuirena squarrosa, Mitreola sessilifolia (= Cynoctonum sessilifolium), Polygala ramosa, Rhynchospora oligantha, Lachnocaulon anceps, Morella cerifera (= Myrica cerifera), Toxicodendron vernix (= Rhus vernix), Scleria reticularis, Marshallia graminifolia var. cynanthera (= Marshallia tenuifolia), Lycopodiella appressa (= Lycopodium appressum), Rhexia petiolata, Smilax laurifolia, Helianthus angustifolius, and Sphagnum sp. Other species present may include Muhlenbergia expansa, Dichanthelium dichotomum var. ensifolium, Dichanthelium scabriusculum, Dichanthelium spp., Aristida palustris, Aristida purpurascens var. virgata, Andropogon gyrans var. stenophyllus (= Andropogon perangustatus), Anthaenantia rufa, Panicum virgatum, Rhynchospora elliottii, Rhynchospora latifolia, Rhynchospora macra, Rhynchospora plumosa, Rhynchospora rariflora, Scleria muehlenbergii (= Scleria reticularis var. pubescens), Tridens ambiguus, Carex glaucescens, Eleocharis tuberculosa, Juncus trigonocarpus, Agalinis obtusifolia, Arnoglossum ovatum, Burmannia capitata, Calopogon tuberosus, Centella erecta, Drosera brevifolia, Eriocaulon texense, Gratiola pilosa, Lycopodiella spp., Marshallia graminifolia var. cynanthera (= Marshallia graminifolia ssp. tenuifolia), Oxypolis filiformis, Pinguicula pumila, Pogonia ophioglossoides, Ptilimnium capillaceum, Rhexia mariana, Schoenolirion croceum, and Utricularia juncea.

Dynamics:  Frequent fires are essential to control invasion by wetland shrubs, although the wettest areas may persist in an herbaceous-dominated condition without fire. However, fire may also be necessary to stimulate growth, flowering and seed production of many herbaceous species found in this community. In the absence of fire, these bogs may become heavily wooded, resulting in the eventual elimination of the bog (Folkerts 1982). Increased development of woody species suppresses herbaceous species and potentially produces some drying effect by pumping larger volumes of water.
Environmental Description:  According to Bridges and Orzell (1989a) these communities are commonly found on short, steep slopes (10-30%), most commonly on south-, southwest-, or west-facing slopes on the Catahoula, Willis, and northern portion of the Bentley geologic formations. Soils of these bogs are usually not mapped as distinct from the surrounding drier, sandy uplands. These habitats are commonly presumed to have low nutrient availability, although this presumption seems to be based largely on the presence of carnivorous plants rather than hard data, since actual samples from the region have not documented such deficits (Nixon and Ward 1986) [see also Van Kley (1999a) for calcium and magnesium data]. They occur on permanently wet, seepage slopes which result from lateral movement of precipitation and groundwater at a contact zone with an impermeable layer. Nixon and Ward (1986) distinguish between basin bogs and slope bogs, while Bridges and Orzell (1989a) describe three different landform types. The rocky hillside subtype of Bridges and Orzell (1989a) was described only from Middle Branch Bog in Louisiana, although an apparently similar site occurs in east Texas (Reid full citation??), and a number of sites have exposures of Catahoula mudstone and/or siltstone. The soil pH range of five bogs studied by Nixon and Ward (1986) ranged from 4.3-4.7, with an additional site at 5.3. Three additional Texas examples ranged from 5.4-5.6 (plot data cited below). The Nixon and Ward (1986) samples ranged from 2.2-5.8% organic material. Two Nixon and Ward (1986) sites were 60% sand in the upper surface, and two additional Texas plots (ANNF 92A, SANF 139-01F) were greater than 80% sand in the upper surface (Turner et al. unpubl. data). Remaining Nixon and Ward (1986) sites ranged from only 20-26% sand (46-64% clay), and one additional Texas plot was 40% sand and 39% clay.
Geographic Range: This community is endemic to the portion of the West Gulf Coastal Plain formerly dominated by longleaf pine. According to Bridges and Orzell (1989a) it ranges from Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, west to Polk County, Texas.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  LA, TX


Confidence Level: Moderate

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2G3

Greasons: No Data Available
Type Name Database Code Classification Code
Class 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class C02 2
Subclass 2.C Shrub & Herb Wetland Subclass S44 2.C
Formation 2.C.4 Temperate to Polar Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Formation F013 2.C.4
Division 2.C.4.Ne Atlantic & Gulf Coastal Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Division D322 2.C.4.Ne
Macrogroup 2.C.4.Ne.2 Beaksedge species - Spikerush species - Panicgrass species Atlantic & Gulf Coastal Plain Wet Prairie & Marsh Macrogroup M067 2.C.4.Ne.2
Group 2.C.4.Ne.2.e Beaksedge species - Pitcherplant species Seep Group G187 2.C.4.Ne.2.e
Alliance A1463 Feather-bristle Beaksedge - Pitcherplant species - Toothache Grass Seep Alliance A1463 2.C.4.Ne.2.e
Association CEGL004175 Yellow Trumpets - Slender Beaksedge - Roughleaf Coneflower - Yellow Sunnybell Seepage Meadow CEGL004175 2.C.4.Ne.2.e
Concept Lineage: CEGL004173 reflects a depauperate, slightly less wet phase of CEGL004175, but is not sufficiently distinct in floristics and dynamics to warrant separation. CEGL004250 merged into CEGL004173 which was subsequently merged into CEGL004175.

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Drosera Sandy/Loamy Wet Herbaceous Seeps (Turner et al. 1999)
? Boggy Longleaf pine seeps (Van Kley 1999a)
? East Texas pitcher plant bogs (Nixon and Ward 1986)
? Hillside Seepage Herb Bog (Bridges and Orzell 1989a)
< IID3b. West Gulf Coastal Plain Herbaceous Seepage Bog (Allard 1990)
? Rocky High Hillside Seepage Bog (Bridges and Orzell 1989a)
Concept Author(s): J. Mohan

Author of Description: J.E. Mohan, L.M. Smith and R.E. Evans

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 01-31-02
  • Allard, D. J. 1990. Southeastern United States ecological community classification. Interim report, Version 1.2. The Nature Conservancy, Southeast Regional Office, Chapel Hill, NC. 96 pp.
  • Bridges, E. L., and S. L. Orzell. 1989a. Longleaf pine communities of the West Gulf Coastal Plain. Natural Areas Journal 9:246-263.
  • Diamond, D. D. 1993. Classification of the plant communities of Texas (series level). Unpublished document. Texas Natural Heritage Program, Austin. 25 pp.
  • Folkerts, G. W. 1982. The Gulf Coast pitcher plant bogs. American Scientist 70:260-267.
  • Hamel, P. B. 1992. The land manager''s guide to the birds of the South. The Nature Conservancy, Southeast Regional Office, Chapel Hill, NC. 367 pp. plus appendices, computer disk.
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  • LNHP [Louisiana Natural Heritage Program]. 1992. Survey of threatened and endangered plants and animals on U.S. Army Fort Polk Military Reservation, Louisiana. Unpublished report. Louisiana Natural Heritage Program, Baton Rouge. 32 pp.
  • LNHP [Louisiana Natural Heritage Program]. 2009. Natural communities of Louisiana. Louisiana Natural Heritage Program, Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, Baton Rouge. 46 pp. [http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/page_wildlife/6776-Rare%20Natural%20Communities/LA_NAT_COM.pdf]
  • MacRoberts, B. R., and M. H. MacRoberts. 1988. Floristic composition of two west Louisiana pitcher plant bogs. Phytologia 65:184-190.
  • MacRoberts, B. R., and M. H. MacRoberts. 1991. Floristics of three bogs in western Louisiana. Phytologia 70:135-141.
  • Martin, D. L., and L. M. Smith. 1991. A survey and description of the natural plant communities of the Kisatchie National Forest, Winn and Kisatchie districts. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Baton Rouge, LA. 372 pp.
  • Martin, D. L., and L. M. Smith. 1993. A survey and description of the natural plant communities of the Kisatchie National Forest, Evangeline and Catahoula districts. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Baton Rouge. 274 pp.
  • Nixon, E. S., and J. R. Ward. 1986. Floristic composition and management of east Texas pitcher plant bogs. Pages 283-287 in: D. L. Kulhavy and R. N. Conner, editors. Wilderness and natural areas in the eastern United States: A management challenge. Center for Applied Studies, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX.
  • Orzell, S. L., principal investigator. 1990. Texas Natural Heritage Program inventory of national forest and national grasslands in Texas. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Natural Heritage Program, Austin.
  • Platt, W., L. M. Smith, N. Gilmore, R. Baker, and D. Pashley. 1990. Proposed management for hillside seepage bogs of Kisatchie National Forest. Unpublished report. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Natural Heritage Program, Baton Rouge. 11 pp.
  • Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
  • Turner, R. L., J. E. Van Kley, L. S. Smith, and R. E. Evans. 1999. Ecological classification system for the national forests and adjacent areas of the West Gulf Coastal Plain. The Nature Conservancy, Nacogdoches, TX. 95 pp. plus appendices.
  • Turner, R. L., J. E. Van Kley, L. S. Smith, and R. E. Evans. No date. Unpublished data from the national forests and adjacent areas of the West Gulf Coastal Plain. The Nature Conservancy, Nacogdoches, TX.
  • Van Kley, J. E. 1999a. The vegetation of the Kisatchie Sandstone Hills, Louisiana. Castanea 64:64-80.
  • Wilson, L. A. 1995. Land manager''s guide to the amphibians and reptiles of the South. The Nature Conservancy, Southeast Regional Office, Chapel Hill, NC. 324 pp. plus appendices., index, and associated digital data table.