Print Report

CEGL002660 Carex praegracilis Wet Meadow

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Clustered Field Sedge Wet Meadow

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This plant association forms meadows in swales and along stream channels in the prairies of several western states (Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah and Arizona) on both sides of the Continental Divide. It ranges in elevation between 610 and 2325 m (2000-7610 feet). The association occurs along small, shallow streams, usually no more than 2-5 m (7-17 feet) wide, with little sinuosity, low gradient and little to no floodplain development. Soils are deep, ranging from heavy clays to sandy clay loams. Often the only vegetation type along small streams, it completely covers the ground in narrow bands following the streambed and dominated by Carex praegracilis (20-40% cover), Eleocharis palustris, and Equisetum laevigatum. Alternatively, it can occur in patches within a mosaic of monotypic stands of wet meadow graminoid species, including Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis, Carex nebrascensis, Carex pellita, and Schoenoplectus pungens. A few forbs may also be present, such as Grindelia squarrosa, Ranunculus cymbalaria, Vicia sp., Ambrosia confertiflora, and Iris missouriensis. Sometimes shrubs may be present, such as Ericameria nauseosa, Sarcobatus vermiculatus, and Rosa woodsii.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This association is known from several western states (MT, ID, WY, UT, CO and AZ), although few stands have been well-documented. A single plot was sampled in southern Arizona that is codominated by Ambrosia confertiflora. More research is needed to verify that the southern stands should be included in the concept of this association.

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

Floristics: Often the only vegetation type along small streams, it completely covers the ground in narrow bands following the streambed and is dominated by Carex praegracilis (20-40% cover), Eleocharis palustris, and Equisetum laevigatum. Alternatively, it can occur in patches within a mosaic of monotypic stands of wet meadow graminoid species, including Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis (= Juncus balticus), Carex nebrascensis, Carex pellita (= Carex lanuginosa), and Schoenoplectus pungens (= Scirpus pungens). A few forbs may also be present, such as Grindelia squarrosa, Ranunculus cymbalaria, Vicia sp. Ambrosia confertiflora, and Iris missouriensis. Sometimes shrubs may be present, such as Ericameria nauseosa, Sarcobatus vermiculatus, and Rosa woodsii.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  This plant association forms meadows in swales and along stream channels in the prairies of several western states (Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah and Arizona) on both sides of the Continental Divide. It is found between 610 and 2325 m (2000-7610 feet) in elevation. The association occurs along small, shallow streams, usually no more than 2-5 m (7-17 feet) wide, with little sinuosity, low gradient and little to no floodplain development. Soils are deep, ranging from heavy clays to sandy clay loams.
Geographic Range: This association occurs in appropriate habitat across the Rocky Mountain and northern Great Basin states, southern Arizona and southern Utah.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AZ, CA?, CO, ID, MT, NM, OR, UT, WA, WY


Confidence Level: Moderate

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3G4

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.Nb Western North American Temperate Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Division D031 2.C.4.Nb
Macrogroup 2.C.4.Nb.5 Sitka Alder - Booth''s Willow / Northwest Territory Sedge Montane Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Macrogroup M893 2.C.4.Nb.5
Group 2.C.4.Nb.5.b Sedge species - Reedgrass species Montane Wet Meadow & Marsh Group G521 2.C.4.Nb.5.b
Alliance A3806 Clustered Field Sedge - Mountain Sedge - Few-flower Spikerush Wet Meadow Alliance A3806 2.C.4.Nb.5.b
Association CEGL002660 Clustered Field Sedge Wet Meadow CEGL002660 2.C.4.Nb.5.b
Concept Lineage: This type (CEGL001821) is merged into CEGL002660.

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Carex praegracilis Dominance Type (Hansen et al. 1988b)
= Carex praegracilis Dominance Type (Jones and Walford 1995)
= Carex praegracilis (Kittel et al. 1999b)
= Carex praegracilis Herbaceous Vegetation (Carsey et al. 2003a)
? Juncus balticus - Carex praegracilis Community Type (Durkin et al. 1994b)
= Clustered Sedge (Carex praegracilis) Plant Association (Kittel et al. 1997a)
Concept Author(s): R.J. Rondeau

Author of Description: R.J. Rondeau, M.S. Reid, K.A. Schulz and G. Kittel

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 02-24-09
  • CNHP Ecology Team [Colorado Natural Heritage Program Ecology Team]. 2001. A classification of the native vegetation of Colorado. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins.
  • CNHP [Colorado Natural Heritage Program]. 2006-2017. Tracked natural plant communities. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins. [https://cnhp.colostate.edu/ourdata/trackinglist/plant_communities/]
  • Carsey, K., G. Kittel, K. Decker, D. J. Cooper, and D. Culver. 2003a. Field guide to the wetland and riparian plant associations of Colorado. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Fort Collins, CO.
  • Christy, J. A. 2013. Wet meadow plant associations, Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Harney County, Oregon. Oregon Biodiversity Information Center, Institute for Natural Resources, Portland State University, Portland.
  • Coles, J., D. Cogan, D. Salas, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, J. Von Loh, and A. Evenden. 2008a. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Dinosaur National Monument. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR-2008/112. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 814 pp.
  • Culver, D. R., and J. S. Sanderson. 1997. A Natural Heritage assessment of wetland and riparian areas in Summit County, Colorado. Report prepared for the Department of Natural Resources, Denver, CO, by Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
  • Durkin, P., M. Bradley, E. Muldavin, and P. Mehlhop. 1994b. A riparian/wetland vegetation community classification of New Mexico: Pecos River Basin. Unpublished report for New Mexico Environment Department Surface Water Quality Bureau.
  • Hansen, P. L., R. D. Pfister, K. Boggs, B. J. Cook, J. Joy, and D. K. Hinckley. 1995. Classification and management of Montana''s riparian and wetland sites. Miscellaneous Publication No. 54. Montana Forest and Conservation Experiment Station, School of Forestry, University of Montana. 646 pp. plus posters.
  • Hansen, P. L., S. W. Chadde, and R. D. Pfister. 1988b. Riparian dominance types of Montana. University of Montana Miscellaneous Publication 49. Montana Forest and Conservation Experiment Station, Missoula. 411 pp.
  • IDCDC [Idaho Conservation Data Center]. 2005. Wetland and riparian plant associations in Idaho. Idaho Conservation Data Center, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Boise. [http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/tech/CDC/ecology/wetland_riparian_assoc.cfm] (accessed 14 June 2005).
  • Jones, G. P., and G. M. Walford. 1995. Major riparian vegetation types of eastern Wyoming. Submitted to Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division. Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, Laramie, WY. 245 pp.
  • Kagan, J. S., J. A. Christy, M. P. Murray, and J. A. Titus. 2004. Classification of native vegetation of Oregon. January 2004. Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center, Portland. 52 pp.
  • Kittel, G., E. Van Wie, M. Damm, R. Rondeau, S. Kettler, A. McMullen, and J. Sanderson. 1999b. A classification of riparian and wetland plant associations of Colorado: A user''s guide to the classification project. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins CO. 70 pp. plus appendices.
  • Kittel, G., E. Van Wie, M. Damm, R. Rondeau, S. Kettler, and J. Sanderson. 1999a. A classification of the riparian plant associations of the Rio Grande and Closed Basin watersheds, Colorado. Unpublished report prepared by the Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins.
  • Kittel, G., E. Van Wie, and M. Damm. 1997a. A classification of the riparian vegetation of the South Platte Basin (and part of Republican River Basin), Colorado. Submitted to Colorado Department of Natural Resources and the Environmental Protection Agency, Region VIII. Prepared by Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins.
  • MTNHP [Montana Natural Heritage Program]. 2002b. List of ecological communities for Montana. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Montana State Library, Helena, MT.
  • Muldavin, E., P. Durkin, M. Bradley, M. Stuever, and P. Mehlhop. 2000a. Handbook of wetland vegetation communities of New Mexico. Volume I: Classification and community descriptions. Final report to the New Mexico Environment Department and the Environmental Protection Agency prepared by the New Mexico Natural Heritage Program, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque.
  • Salas, D. E., J. Stevens, K. Schulz, M. Artmann, B. Friesen, S. Blauer, E. W. Schweiger, and A. Valdez. 2010b. Vegetation classification and mapping project report: Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Natural Resource Report NPS/ROMN/NRR--2010/179. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
  • Schulz, K. A. 2004. Vegetation classification of Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, Arizona. Unpublished report submitted to USDI Fish and Wildlife Service. NatureServe, Western Regional Office, Boulder, CO.
  • Tendick, A., G. Kittel, J. Von Loh, P. Williams, D. Cogan, J. Coles, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and A. Evenden. 2011b. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Bryce Canyon National Park. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2011/442. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
  • WNDD [Wyoming Natural Diversity Database]. No date. Unpublished data on file. Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY.
  • WNHP [Washington Natural Heritage Program]. 2018. Unpublished data files. Washington Natural Heritage Program, Department of Natural Resources, Olympia, WA.
  • Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.