Print Report

CEGL001556 Artemisia cana ssp. cana / Pascopyrum smithii Shrub Wet Meadow

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Plains Silver Sagebrush / Western Wheatgrass Shrub Wet Meadow

Colloquial Name: Silver Sagebrush / Western Wheatgrass Shrub Prairie

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This association has been described from the Great Plains of central and eastern Montana, far western North Dakota, northwestern South Dakota, and northeastern Wyoming. It occupies terraces and floodplains along streams, where alluvium contains more soil water than is available in the uplands. Artemisia cana ssp. cana dominates the shrub layer, which may also include small amounts of Symphoricarpos occidentalis, Sarcobatus vermiculatus, or Chrysothamnus sp. The undergrowth typically is dense and composed mainly of graminoids, with forbs contributing little cover. Pascopyrum smithii often dominates, and in many stands several other species may codominate, especially Nassella viridula, Poa pratensis, and Bromus arvensis (or another exotic, annual brome grass). Invasive grasses (Poa pratensis, Bromus arvensis) dominate the undergrowth in many stands. Bouteloua gracilis and Carex filifolia, both more typically upland species, may contribute substantial cover. Common forbs are Taraxacum spp. (exotic), Achillea millefolium, Artemisia ludoviciana, and Vicia americana.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This association undoubtedly exists, but the amount of variation in species composition and vegetation structure, and the geographic range, must be better documented. It is unclear whether stands in which Nassella viridula or Elymus lanceolatus dominate or codominate the undergrowth should be included in this association or placed into different associations. For ~Pascopyrum smithii - Nassella viridula Grassland (CEGL001583)$$, either Pascopyrum smithii or Elymus lanceolatus may dominate.

This community appears to be very closely related to ~Artemisia cana / Pascopyrum smithii Wet Shrubland (CEGL001072)$$ which is found in Montana, western North Dakota, and western South Dakota. The most apparent difference is the cover of shrubs. Further comparison may result in the combination of these two types.

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

Floristics: This community is dominated by moderately dense to dense graminoids less than 1 m tall. Pascopyrum smithii is usually the most abundant among these. Poa pratensis, Bouteloua gracilis, and Nassella viridula are also common. Calamovilfa longifolia, Hesperostipa comata (= Stipa comata), and Achnatherum hymenoides (= Oryzopsis hymenoides) are sometimes present. Short shrubs, especially Artemisia cana and sometimes Symphoricarpos occidentalis, have 10-25% cover. Forbs and nonvascular species are generally rare.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  This community is found on flat to gently sloping alluvial terraces and fans near larger creeks and rivers. Thilenius et al. (1995) found that most stands were raised at least 1 m above the general floodplain. Soils are formed from alluvium and are medium- to fine-textured. Flooding may occur frequently.
Geographic Range: This association is known to occur from northern Montana as far south as central Wyoming, and from central Montana as far east as west-central South Dakota.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  MT, ND, SD, WY


Confidence Level: Moderate

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.5 Prairie Cordgrass - Cattail species - Bulrush species Great Plains Marsh, Wet Meadow, Shrubland & Playa Macrogroup M071 2.C.4.Nd.5
Group 2.C.4.Nd.5.c Dogwood species - Chokecherry / Western Wheatgrass Great Plains Riparian Wet Meadow & Shrubland Group G337 2.C.4.Nd.5.c
Alliance A3586 Plains Silver Sagebrush Wet Shrubland Alliance A3586 2.C.4.Nd.5.c
Association CEGL001556 Plains Silver Sagebrush / Western Wheatgrass Shrub Wet Meadow CEGL001556 2.C.4.Nd.5.c
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Artemisia cana / Agropyron smithii Habitat Type (Hansen et al. 1995)
Concept Author(s): J. Drake

Author of Description: J. Drake

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 01-29-98
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