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CEGL002385 Symplocarpus foetidus - Mixed Forbs Seep
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Skunk-cabbage - Mixed Forbs Seep
Colloquial Name: Skunk-cabbage Seepage Meadow
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This community is found throughout the upper midwestern region of the United States and adjacent Canada, ranging to the Northeast, where it develops around spring heads and in broader areas of groundwater discharge. The peat layer is typically less than 0.4 m deep. Tree and shrub cover may vary, particularly from overhanging upland trees, but trees and shrubs rooted in the stand are less than 25% cover. Forbs dominate the community. Symplocarpus foetidus and Angelica atropurpurea are the dominant and indicative species in the Midwest; Impatiens capensis is characteristic in the East. Other forbs and ferns present include Caltha palustris, Chelone glabra, Epilobium coloratum, Impatiens capensis, Pedicularis lanceolata, Pilea pumila, Saxifraga pensylvanica, Solidago patula, and Thelypteris palustris. Graminoid cover is generally low, less than 25%, and may include Carex bromoides, Carex comosa, Carex lacustris, Carex stricta, and Carex trichocarpa.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This community is defined as an herbaceous community, thereby excluding many closed canopy seepage meadows with trees or shrubs rooted in the stand. However, some herbaceous seepage meadows could be quite shaded because of surrounding upland forests. This type is not always separated out by state heritage programs, since it can be a zone in other wetland types. Carex lacustris may occur in this type. The presence of coarse-leaved sedges may be a structural difference as compared to fens, which typically have fine-leaved sedges (MNNHP 1993). This association overlaps a great deal with ~Symplocarpus foetidus - Impatiens capensis Seepage Meadow (CEGL006567)$$. They could possibly be merged. For now, the two associations are placed in the same alliance (A3374).
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This is an herbaceous-dominated community. Tree and shrub cover may vary, particularly from overhanging upland trees, but trees and shrubs rooted in the stand are less than 25% cover. Forbs dominate the community. Symplocarpus foetidus and Angelica atropurpurea are the leading dominant and indicator species. Other forbs and ferns present include Caltha palustris, Chelone glabra, Epilobium coloratum, Impatiens capensis (= Impatiens biflora), Impatiens capensis, Pedicularis lanceolata, Pilea pumila, Saxifraga pensylvanica, Solidago patula, and Thelypteris palustris. Graminoid cover is generally low, less than 25%, and may include Carex bromoides, Carex comosa, Carex lacustris, Carex stricta, and Carex trichocarpa (White and Madany 1978, MNNHP 1993). Solecki (1998) described two seepage fen occurrences in central Illinois where Symplocarpus foetidus was absent, but where composition was otherwise similar to stands described for this type. These Illinois stands have been placed in this type for now.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This community develops around spring heads and in broader areas of groundwater discharge, where water flows to the surface in a diffuse rather than concentrated flow. Peat may be present in some areas, and perhaps locally can be as deep as 1 m, but it is typically less than 0.4 m deep. Stands can occur along the lower slopes of glacial moraines, ravines and in deep glacial meltwater-cut river valleys at the bases of slopes separating stream terraces (TNC 1990, MNNHP 1993). Soils are seasonally to more-or-less permanently saturated, with circumneutral to slightly alkaline pH and cold water temperatures (MNNHP 1993).
Geographic Range: This community is found throughout the upper midwestern region of the United States and adjacent Canada, where it develops around spring heads and in broader areas of groundwater discharge. The type extends from Indiana and possibly Ontario and Ohio, west to Minnesota and Iowa.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: IA, IL, IN, MA, MI, MN, NJ?, OH, ON, PA, WI
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685623
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4?
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.c Tawny Cottongrass - Jewelweed species - Skunk-cabbage Seep Group | G189 | 2.C.4.Nd.1.c |
| Alliance | A3374 Orange Jewelweed - Skunk-cabbage - Yellow Marsh-marigold Seep Alliance | A3374 | 2.C.4.Nd.1.c |
| Association | CEGL002385 Skunk-cabbage - Mixed Forbs Seep | CEGL002385 | 2.C.4.Nd.1.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Symplocarpus foetidus Herbaceous Vegetation (Faber-Langendoen 2001)
= Seepage Meadow (MNNHP 1993)
= Seepage Meadow (MNNHP 1993)
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