Print Report
CEGL006234 Bolboschoenus robustus - Juncus gerardii - Hordeum jubatum - Atriplex patula Saline Marsh
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Sturdy Bulrush - Saltmeadow Rush - Foxtail Barley - Spear Saltbush Saline Marsh
Colloquial Name: Inland Salt Marsh
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This inland salt flat is known only from Virginia. It occurs where the groundwater saturates salt deposits, supporting a dense graminoid wetland dominated by Juncus gerardii and Bolboschoenus robustus. Other halophytic species include Eleocharis parvula, Salicornia depressa, and Atriplex patula. Other wetland associates include Typha latifolia, Oenothera biennis, Hibiscus moscheutos, as well as scattered Hordeum jubatum and Schoenoplectus acutus. Although similar to inland saline marshes of Michigan and New York, this type can be differentiated by a denser plant cover in comparison to the sparse mudflats of more northern saline marshes. In addition, the related vegetation is characterized by different species of Juncus and Schoenoplectus or Bolboschoenus.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Although this community occurs in a similar environment to the inland saline marshes of Michigan, Illinois, and New York, the physiognomy of this community is distinct in that it is characterized by a dense cover of graminoids, rather than the sparsely vegetated mudflats of more northern inland saline marshes. The composition is distinct also, with different species of Schoenoplectus or Bolboschoenus and Juncus dominant. Sites have a history of disturbance (Grossman et al. 1994).
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Stands of this dense graminoid wetland are dominated by Juncus gerardii and Bolboschoenus robustus (= Scirpus robustus). Other halophytic species include Eleocharis parvula, Salicornia depressa (= Salicornia europaea), and Atriplex patula. Other wetland associates include Typha latifolia, Oenothera biennis, Hibiscus moscheutos, as well as scattered Hordeum jubatum and Schoenoplectus acutus (= Scirpus acutus). Other species at the one known site include Impatiens capensis, Elymus repens (= Agropyron repens), and Asclepias syriaca (VDNH unpubl. data).
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This inland salt flat from Virginia only occurs where the groundwater saturates salt deposits, supporting the growth of halophytic species. This community occurs on inland mudflats that are seasonally or temporarily flooded by saline water. Sites usually have a history of disturbance (Grossman et al. 1994).
Geographic Range: This inland salt flat is known only from Virginia.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: VA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684235
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G1
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.Nd Eastern North American Temperate Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Division | D323 | 2.C.4.Nd |
| Macrogroup | 2.C.4.Nd.2 Broadleaf Cattail - White Snakeroot - Rush species Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Macrogroup | M069 | 2.C.4.Nd.2 |
| Group | 2.C.4.Nd.2.f Eastern North American Inland Saline Marsh Group | G773 | 2.C.4.Nd.2.f |
| Alliance | A1434 Sturdy Bulrush - Cosmopolitan Bulrush - Spear Saltbush Inland Saline Marsh Alliance | A1434 | 2.C.4.Nd.2.f |
| Association | CEGL006234 Sturdy Bulrush - Saltmeadow Rush - Foxtail Barley - Spear Saltbush Saline Marsh | CEGL006234 | 2.C.4.Nd.2.f |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Schoenoplectus robustus - Juncus gerardii - Hordeum jubatum - Atriplex prostrata Herbaceous Vegetation (Fleming pers. comm.)
= Scirpus robustus - Hordeum jubatum - Eleocharis parvula Herbaceous Vegetation (Grossman et al. 1994)
= Scirpus robustus - Hordeum jubatum - Eleocharis parvula Herbaceous Vegetation (Grossman et al. 1994)
- Fleming, G. P., K. D. Patterson, and K. Taverna. 2017. The natural communities of Virginia: A classification of ecological community groups and community types. Third approximation. Version 3.0. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond, VA. [http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/natural-communities/]
- Fleming, Gary P. Personal communication. Ecologist, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond, VA.
- Grossman, D. H., K. Lemon Goodin, and C. L. Reuss, editors. 1994. Rare plant communities of the conterminous United States: An initial survey. The Nature Conservancy. Arlington, VA. 620 pp.
- Ogle, D. W. 1981. Long-distance dispersal of vascular halophytes: The marshes of Saltville, Virginia. Castanea 46:8-15.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.