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CEGL004782 Juncus (acuminatus, brachycarpus) - Panicum virgatum - Bidens aristosa - Hibiscus lasiocarpos Wet Meadow

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: (Tapertip Rush, Whiteroot Rush) - Switchgrass - Bearded Beggarticks - Interior Rosemallow Wet Meadow

Colloquial Name: Arkansas Valley Wet Prairie

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This seasonally flooded community includes the wettest vegetation of the Cherokee Prairies of western Arkansas. It occurs in prairie depressions, low swales, along prairie drainages, and around beaver ponds. Stands of this vegetation are typically of medium height (90-150 cm [3-5 feet]) and dense. Fuel accumulation is rapid and dense thatch build-up common with intermittent burns; due to the wet nature of the community even in dry periods. Dominant species include Juncus acuminatus, Juncus brachycarpus, Panicum virgatum, Panicum anceps, and Bidens aristosa. Other herbaceous species include Dichanthelium spp., Eleocharis sp., Eupatorium perfoliatum, Fimbristylis sp., Hibiscus lasiocarpos, Ludwigia alternifolia, Lysimachia lanceolata, Orbexilum pedunculatum var. pedunculatum, Rumex altissimus, Rumex crispus, Packera tomentosa, Spartina pectinata, and Typha domingensis. Woody species include Cephalanthus occidentalis, Liquidambar styraciflua, and others. Saturated soils, beaver activity, and fire play a role in limiting woody plant cover in this community. Soils are of the Faulkner Series, derived from acidic sandstones and shales. The soils are acidic, poorly drained, silty loams with a clay subsoil.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This Arkansas Valley Wet Prairie description is tentative pending further investigation. Spartina pectinata is apparently present only in ditches due to its sensitivity to haying. This association may be synonymous with the wet phase of the Arkansas Grand Prairie (hence the ''42:?''). There may be a related, slightly less hydric type (Panicum virgatum temporarily flooded), but data are lacking to describe this speculative type (D. Zollner pers. comm.).

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

Floristics: Dominant species include Juncus acuminatus, Juncus brachycarpus, Panicum virgatum, Panicum anceps, and Bidens aristosa. Other herbaceous species include Dichanthelium spp., Eleocharis sp., Eupatorium perfoliatum, Fimbristylis sp., Hibiscus lasiocarpos (= Hibiscus moscheutos ssp. lasiocarpos), Ludwigia alternifolia, Lysimachia lanceolata, Orbexilum pedunculatum var. pedunculatum (= Psoralea psoralioides var. eglandulosa), Rumex altissimus, Rumex crispus, Packera tomentosa (= Senecio tomentosus), Spartina pectinata, and Typha domingensis. Woody species include Cephalanthus occidentalis, Liquidambar styraciflua, and others.

Dynamics:  Stands of this vegetation are typically of medium height (90-150 cm [3-5 feet]) and dense. Fuel accumulation is rapid and dense thatch build-up common with intermittent burns; due to the wet nature of the community even in dry periods. Saturated soils, beaver activity, and fire play a role in limiting woody plant cover in this community.
Environmental Description:  This seasonally flooded community includes the wettest vegetation of the Cherokee Prairies of western Arkansas. It occurs in prairie depressions, low swales, along prairie drainages, and around beaver ponds. Saturated soils, beaver activity, and fire play a role in limiting woody plant cover in this community. Soils are of the Faulkner Series, derived from acidic sandstones and shales. The soils are acidic, poorly drained, silty loams with a clay subsoil.
Geographic Range: This type is restricted to western Arkansas.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AR, OK?


Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented

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.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.e Prairie Cordgrass - Bluejoint - Sedge species Midwest Wet Prairie, Wet Meadow & Shrub Swamp Group G770 2.C.4.Nd.2.e
Alliance A4056 Big Bluestem - Panicum virgatum Wet Prairie Alliance A4056 2.C.4.Nd.2.e
Association CEGL004782 (Tapertip Rush, Whiteroot Rush) - Switchgrass - Bearded Beggarticks - Interior Rosemallow Wet Meadow CEGL004782 2.C.4.Nd.2.e
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
Concept Author(s): S. Simon and D. Zollner

Author of Description: S. Simon and D. Zollner

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 11-01-97
  • Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
  • Zollner, Douglas. Personal communication. Ecologist, The Nature Conservancy, Arkansas Field Office, Little Rock.