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CEGL007697 Carex gynandra - Platanthera clavellata - Drosera rotundifolia - Carex ruthii / Sphagnum spp. Herbaceous Seep
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Nodding Sedge - Small Green Wood Orchid - Roundleaf Sundew - Ruth''s Sedge / Peatmoss species Herbaceous Seep
Colloquial Name: Southern Blue Ridge High-Elevation Seep (Sedge Type)
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association accommodates sedge-dominated, seepage slopes scattered throughout the high elevations (>1524 m [5000 feet]) of the Southern Blue Ridge. This non-alluvial wetland is generally graminoid-dominated but may have significant coverage by trees or shrubs, especially around the edges. Particularly small examples may be completely shaded by trees in the community and in the adjacent forests. Typically this community has well-developed Sphagnum mats. Characteristic species include Carex gynandra, Carex ruthii, Carex atlantica, Carex debilis var. rudgei, Glyceria striata, Glyceria melicaria, Hypericum graveolens, Hypericum mitchellianum, Hypericum mutilum, Chelone lyonii, Platanthera clavellata, and Drosera rotundifolia. Occurrences of this community are surrounded by or were formerly surrounded by forests dominated by Abies fraseri and Picea rubens or by the highest northern hardwood forests (forests dominated by Fagus grandifolia, Betula alleghaniensis, and Aesculus flava). They are influenced by the high rainfall and low evaporation rates in these high mountain landscapes.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This community is distinguished from other high-elevation seeps in the Blue Ridge, such as ~Impatiens (capensis, pallida) - Monarda didyma - Rudbeckia laciniata var. digitata Herbaceous Seep (CEGL004293)$$ and ~Diphylleia cymosa - Saxifraga micranthidifolia - Laportea canadensis Forested Herbaceous Seep (CEGL004296)$$, by being graminoid-dominated and having Sphagnum present. Examples of this association generally lack Rudbeckia laciniata, Laportea canadensis, Monarda didyma, and Diphylleia cymosa. It is distinguished from Southern Blue Ridge bog communities by floristic differences and by occurring on a pronounced slope at high elevations.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Characteristic species in stands of this type include Carex gynandra, Carex ruthii, Carex atlantica, Carex debilis var. rudgei (= Carex flexuosa), Glyceria striata, Glyceria melicaria, Hypericum graveolens, Hypericum mitchellianum, Hypericum mutilum, Chelone lyonii, Platanthera clavellata, and Drosera rotundifolia. Typically this community has well-developed Sphagnum mats.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: These seepage slopes are scattered throughout the high elevations (>1525 m [>5000 feet]) of the Southern Blue Ridge. They are influenced by the high rainfall and low evaporation rates in these high mountain landscapes. This non-alluvial wetland is generally graminoid-dominated but may have significant coverage by trees or shrubs, especially around the edges. Particularly small examples may be completely shaded by trees in the community and in the adjacent forests.
Geographic Range: This community occurs in a limited portion of high-elevation areas of the Southern Blue Ridge (Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia?).
Nations: US
States/Provinces: NC, TN, VA?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685203
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2
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.1 Shrubby-cinquefoil - Canadian Burnet / Inland Sedge Seep Macrogroup | M061 | 2.C.4.Nd.1 |
| Group | 2.C.4.Nd.1.a Catawba Rosebay / Tawny Cottongrass / Peatmoss species Shrub & Herb Seep Group | G184 | 2.C.4.Nd.1.a |
| Alliance | A3382 Nodding Sedge - Melic Mannagrass - Fowl Mannagrass Seep Alliance | A3382 | 2.C.4.Nd.1.a |
| Association | CEGL007697 Nodding Sedge - Small Green Wood Orchid - Roundleaf Sundew - Ruth''s Sedge / Peatmoss species Herbaceous Seep | CEGL007697 | 2.C.4.Nd.1.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Carex gynandra Wetland (Newell and Peet 1996a)
? Carex ruthii Wetland (Newell and Peet 1996a)
> Boggy Seep (Wichmann et al. 2007)
= High Elevation Sedge Seep (Wichmann 2009)
> Sedge Seep (Wichmann et al. 2007)
? Carex ruthii Wetland (Newell and Peet 1996a)
> Boggy Seep (Wichmann et al. 2007)
= High Elevation Sedge Seep (Wichmann 2009)
> Sedge Seep (Wichmann et al. 2007)
- Newell, C. L., and R. K. Peet. 1996a. Vegetation of Shining Rock Wilderness, North Carolina. Unpublished report to USDA Forest Service. University of North Carolina, Department of Biological Science, Chapel Hill, NC. 253 pp. plus map.
- Peet, R. K., T. R. Wentworth, M. P. Schafale, and A.S. Weakley. No date. Unpublished data of the North Carolina Vegetation Survey. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
- Schafale, M. P. 2012. Classification of the natural communities of North Carolina, 4th Approximation. North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh.
- Schafale, M. P., and A. S. Weakley. 1990. Classification of the natural communities of North Carolina. Third approximation. North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh. 325 pp.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
- Wichmann, B. 2009. Vegetation of geographically isolated montane non-alluvial wetlands of the Southern Blue Ridge of North Carolina. Masters thesis, North Carolina State, Raleigh. [http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/theses/available/etd-05152009-120239/unrestricted/etd.pdf]
- Wichmann, B., R. K. Peet, and T. R. Wentworth. 2007. Natural vegetation of the Carolinas: Classification and description of montane non-alluvial wetlands of the Southern Appalachian region. A report prepared for the Ecosystem Enhancement Program, North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources in partial fulfillments of contract D07042. Carolina Vegetation Survey, Curriculum in Ecology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.