Print Report

CEGL005082 Alnus serrulata / Calamagrostis canadensis Shrub Swamp

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Hazel Alder / Bluejoint Shrub Swamp

Colloquial Name: Hazel Alder Shrub Swamp

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This alder swamp is found widely throughout the northeastern United States south of near-boreal regions. These shrublands are found on muck overlying mineral soils (peat deposits are not typical) of upland marsh borders, at the edges of red maple swamps, or in acidic colluvium at bases of slopes. The pH of these systems is broadly circumneutral to somewhat calcareous. The vegetation is dominated by tall shrubs, characterized and usually dominated by Alnus serrulata, sometimes in a mixture with (or rarely replaced by) Alnus incana. Associate shrubs vary somewhat with geography and include Cornus sericea, Rosa palustris, Physocarpus opulifolius, Viburnum dentatum, and Salix spp. Saplings of Acer rubrum are typical. Short shrubs include Spiraea alba var. latifolia and Lindera benzoin. Less frequent shrubs include Cephalanthus occidentalis, Decodon verticillatus, Ilex verticillata, Rhododendron viscosum, and Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis. Herbaceous associates include Calamagrostis canadensis, Osmunda regalis, Glyceria striata, Thelypteris palustris, Galium spp., Typha latifolia, Polygonum hydropiper, Bidens cernua, Galium tinctorium, Cicuta maculata, Peltandra virginica, and Carex stricta.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This type overlaps with ~Alnus incana Shrub Swamp (CEGL002381)$$ where the ranges abut in Ohio, Pennsylvania, southern New England, and southern New York. Where both alder species are present, this type is distinguished from the Alnus incana nominal type by the presence of species with a somewhat more Central Appalachian / Alleghenian affinity such as Physocarpus opulifolius, Rhododendron viscosum, Peltandra virginica, compared to CEGL002381 which is characterized by somewhat more northern species such as Ilex mucronata and Myrica gale. Where they overlap, the relative dominance of the two alder species should be expected to vary. If Alnus serrulata is present in more than token amounts, consider this type as opposed to CEGL002381.

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

Floristics: The vegetation is dominated by tall shrubs and characterized by Alnus serrulata, Alnus incana, Physocarpus opulifolius, Viburnum dentatum, Cornus amomum, and Salix spp. Saplings of Acer rubrum are typical. Short shrubs include Spiraea alba var. latifolia and Lindera benzoin. Other shrubs present include Cephalanthus occidentalis, Decodon verticillatus, Ilex verticillata, Rhododendron viscosum, and Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis (Anderson 1996, Fike 1999). Herbaceous associates include Calamagrostis canadensis, Osmunda regalis, Glyceria striata, Thelypteris palustris, Galium spp., Typha latifolia, Polygonum hydropiper, Bidens cernua, Galium tinctorium, Cicuta maculata, Peltandra virginica, and Carex stricta.

Dynamics:  Many of these wetlands may have been influenced by beaver or other impoundments.
Environmental Description:  These shrublands are found on muck overlying mineral soils (peat deposits are not typical) of upland marsh borders, small upland depressions, at the edges of red maple swamps or other ponded drainages, or in colluvium at bases of slopes. The pH of these systems is broadly circumneutral to somewhat calcareous (Fike 1999).
Geographic Range: This alder swamp is found widely throughout the northeastern United States, ranging from central New England south to New Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia, and west to Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, QC?, RI, VA, WV


Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4G5

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.d Appalachian-Northeast Wet Meadow & Shrub Swamp Group G903 2.C.4.Nd.2.d
Alliance A3685 Alder species - Willow species - Red-osier Dogwood Shrub Swamp Alliance A3685 2.C.4.Nd.2.d
Association CEGL005082 Hazel Alder / Bluejoint Shrub Swamp CEGL005082 2.C.4.Nd.2.d
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Acer rubrum / Triadenum walteri - Peltandra virginica - Boehmeria cylindrica Shrub Swamp (Walton et al. 2001)
>< Alnus incana ssp. rugosa - Salix spp. community (Metzler and Barrett 2006)
= Alnus serrulata Eastern Shrubland (Faber-Langendoen 2001)
< Semipermanent Impoundment (Fleming pers. comm.)
? Smooth alder shrub thicket (CAP pers. comm. 1998)
Concept Author(s): L.A. Sneddon

Author of Description: L.A. Sneddon, D. Faber-Langendoen and S.C. Gawler

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 01-15-08
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