Print Report

CEGL004153 Aristida beyrichiana - Rhynchospora spp. - Pleea tenuifolia - Sarracenia (psittacina, flava) Seepage Meadow

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Beyrich''s Three-awn - Beaksedge species - Rush-featherling - (Parrot Pitcherplant, Yellow Pitcherplant) Seepage Meadow

Colloquial Name: Apalachicola Wet Prairie (Pleea Type)

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This type represents one of two described phases of wet prairie or open savanna which are endemic, or nearly so, to the Apalachicola National Forest. This type has been referred to as the "Pleea phase" and is presumably wetter and found on sandier soils. While both types are dominated by Aristida beyrichiana, this type may be distinguished by the a greater relative abundance of Pleea tenuifolia, Sarracenia psittacina, and Sarracenia flava. Verbesina chapmanii is lacking from this type. A rich herbaceous layer is present, among which Ctenium aromaticum is an abundant grass. An emergent layer of Hypericum spp. may be present depending upon time since fire.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This type was originally based on the work of Clewell (1971) who suggested two savanna types on the Apalachicola National Forest, with this phase being found primarily on sandy surface soils. For unknown reasons, in a later work Clewell (1981) did not recognize this distinction and referred only to "grass-sedge savannahs." This concept was later modified to include ecotonal seepage areas with related floristic composition; however, these are now accommodated elsewhere.

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

Floristics: This association is dominated by Aristida beyrichiana and supports a diverse mixture of wetland graminoids and forbs. Diagnostic species include Sarracenia spp., especially Sarracenia flava and Sarracenia psittacina, and Pleea tenuifolia (NatureServe Ecology unpubl. data). Other species may include Aristida palustris, Eurybia chapmanii (= Aster chapmanii), Balduina uniflora, Chaptalia tomentosa, Carphephorus pseudoliatris, Coreopsis linifolia, Ctenium aromaticum, Drosera tracyi (= Drosera filiformis var. tracyi), Eriocaulon compressum, Eriocaulon decangulare var. latifolium, Fuirena breviseta, Hypericum brachyphyllum, Hypericum fasciculatum, Lobelia paludosa, Lophiola aurea (= Lophiola americana), Pinguicula planifolia, Rhynchospora latifolia, Rhynchospora macra, Rhexia lutea, Scleria baldwinii, and other species.

Dynamics:  This vegetation is highly dependent on fire, and succession to woody plant dominance takes place when fire is removed. Prescribed burning, which mimics historic fire seasonality and periodicity, and the maintenance of watershed integrity to ensure seepage conditions, are important for management of this community. Fire is also necessary to stimulate growth, flowering and seed production of many species found here.
Environmental Description:  This community occurs on lower slopes between pine flatwoods and cypress stringers or Hypericum chapmanii - Nyssa ursina pond/stringers (A. Schotz pers. comm.).
Geographic Range: This type is endemic, or nearly so, to the Apalachicola National Forest in Panhandle Florida.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  FL


Confidence Level: Low

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.Ne Atlantic & Gulf Coastal Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Division D322 2.C.4.Ne
Macrogroup 2.C.4.Ne.2 Beaksedge species - Spikerush species - Panicgrass species Atlantic & Gulf Coastal Plain Wet Prairie & Marsh Macrogroup M067 2.C.4.Ne.2
Group 2.C.4.Ne.2.e Beaksedge species - Pitcherplant species Seep Group G187 2.C.4.Ne.2.e
Alliance A1463 Feather-bristle Beaksedge - Pitcherplant species - Toothache Grass Seep Alliance A1463 2.C.4.Ne.2.e
Association CEGL004153 Beyrich''s Three-awn - Beaksedge species - Rush-featherling - (Parrot Pitcherplant, Yellow Pitcherplant) Seepage Meadow CEGL004153 2.C.4.Ne.2.e
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Lower Panhandle Savannas (Carr et al. 2010)
= Savannah, Pleea Phase (Clewell 1971)
Concept Author(s): A.F. Clewell (1971)

Author of Description: R.E. Evans

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 05-21-02
  • Carr, S. C., K. M. Robertson, and R. K. Peet. 2010. A vegetation classification of fire-dependent pinelands of Florida. Castanea 75(2):153-189.
  • Clewell, A. F. 1971. The vegetation of the Apalachicola National Forest: An ecological perspective. Unpublished document. USDA Forest Service, Tallahassee, FL. 152 pp.
  • FNAI [Florida Natural Areas Inventory]. 2010a. Guide to the natural communities of Florida: 2010 edition. Florida Natural Areas Inventory, Tallahassee, FL. 228 pp. [https://fnai.org/naturalcommguide.cfm]
  • NatureServe Ecology - Southeastern United States. No date. Unpublished data. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
  • Schotz, Al. Personal communication. Community Ecologist. Alabama Natural Heritage Program. Montgomery, AL.
  • Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.