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CEGL003985 Schoenoplectus californicus Tidal Marsh

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available


Common (Translated Scientific) Name: California Bulrush Tidal Marsh

Colloquial Name: Gulf Coast California Bulrush Freshwater Marsh

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This association is found in tidally influenced oligohaline marshes along the Gulf Coast. It is one of two currently recognized Oligohaline Mixture Marsh types mainly in the Chenier Plain of coastal Louisiana, but is also present in the Deltaic Plain to a limited degree, and apparently the Mississippi Sound region extending into northwestern Florida. The type is dominated or codominated by Schoenoplectus californicus; Echinochloa sp. is typically present as a codominant in Louisiana. Species richness in the type is moderate. Additional common species include Spartina patens, Cyperaceae, Typha domingensis, Typha latifolia, Ludwigia spp., Pluchea spp., Phragmites australis, Setaria spp., Nymphaea odorata, Panicum hemitomon, Bidens laevis, and others.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: No Data Available

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available

Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: The community is dominated or codominated by Schoenoplectus californicus (= Scirpus californicus); Echinochloa sp. is typically present as a codominant in Louisiana. Species richness in the type is moderate. Additional common species include Spartina patens, Cyperaceae, Typha domingensis, Typha latifolia, Ludwigia spp., Pluchea spp., Phragmites australis, Setaria spp., Nymphaea odorata, Panicum hemitomon, Bidens laevis, and others.

Dynamics:  No Data Available

Environmental Description:  This association is found in coastal marshes that receive enough fresh water to maintain low salinity levels. It is also found along the upper reaches of coastal bays.

Geographic Range: This association is found in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Texas. It is presumably common and widespread in the Neotropics.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AL, FL, LA, TX




Confidence Level: Moderate

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available

Grank: G4G5

Greasons: No Data Available


Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available

Synonomy: = Oligohaline Mixture Marsh, Bullwhip Variant (Visser and Sasser 1998)

Concept Author(s): A.S. Weakley

Author of Description: A.S. Weakley

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 04-01-95

  • LNHP [Louisiana Natural Heritage Program]. 2009. Natural communities of Louisiana. Louisiana Natural Heritage Program, Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, Baton Rouge. 46 pp. [http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/page_wildlife/6776-Rare%20Natural%20Communities/LA_NAT_COM.pdf]
  • Smith, L. 1999. Coastal marsh types currently recognized in Louisiana and relationships with existing types in ICEC-TNC. Draft report. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Natural Heritage Program, Baton Rouge. 20 pp.
  • Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
  • Visser, J. M., C. E. Sasser, R. H. Chabreck, and R. G. Linscombe. 1998. Marsh vegetation types of the Mississippi River Deltaic Plain. Estuaries 21(48):818-828.
  • Visser, J. M., and C. E. Sasser. 1998. 1997 Coastal vegetation analysis. Unpublished report to Greg Steyer, Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, Baton Rouge, LA. Draft report November 20, 1998. 47 pp.