Print Report
CEGL004152 Aristida beyrichiana - Rhynchospora spp. - Verbesina chapmanii Seepage Meadow
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Beyrich''s Three-awn - Beaksedge species - Chapman''s Crownbeard Seepage Meadow
Colloquial Name: Apalachicola Wet Prairie (Chapman''s Crownbeard 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 western portions of the Apalachicola National Forest. This type has been referred to as the "Verbesina phase" and is presumably drier and found on clayier soils. While both types are dominated by Aristida beyrichiana, this type supports Verbesina chapmanii, a panhandle Florida endemic, and lacks significant amounts of Pleea tenuifolia and Sarracenia species. A rich herbaceous layer is present, among which Ctenium aromaticum is an abundant grass. An emergent layer of Hypericum spp. may be present if fires have been only infrequent. Preliminary data suggest that Muhlenbergia expansa, Lobelia brevifolia, and Fuirena breviseta may be indicative of this type as well.
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, a Verbesina phase of wet savannas occurred on heavy loam soils in contrast to the Pleea phase which was found 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 association is characteristic of the Post Office Bay area on Apalachicola National Forest.
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. Sarracenia spp., especially Sarracenia flava and Sarracenia psittacina, as well as Pleea tenuifolia are present but with low relative abundance values (NatureServe Ecology unpubl. data). Other species may include Agalinis filicaulis, Aletris obovata, Andropogon mohrii, Bigelowia nudata, Dichanthelium spretum, Eriocaulon decangulare, Fuirena breviseta, Helianthus heterophyllus, Lobelia brevifolia, Lophiola aurea (= Lophiola americana), Muhlenbergia expansa, Rhexia alifanus, Rhynchospora inundata, Rhynchospora latifolia, Rhynchospora macra, Rhynchospora oligantha, Rhynchospora plumosa, and Scleria reticularis. Other species which may be present include Rudbeckia graminifolia, Carphephorus pseudoliatris, Gentiana pennelliana, Calopogon pallidus, Andropogon arctatus, Asclepias viridula, Rhynchospora compressa, Liatris spicata, and Rhexia lutea (A. Schotz pers. comm.).
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: According to Clewell (1971), this savanna type occurs on heavy loam soils in contrast to savannas with sandier soils. Soils underlying these sites in northern Florida are poorly drained Ultisols or Aquults. A seasonally high water table is perched near the soil surface during periods of heavy rainfall due to the presence of an argillic horizon which is slowly permeable to downward percolating water. A combination of high clay content and standing water contributes to sparse overstories.
Geographic Range: This saturated herbaceous flatwoods association is endemic, or nearly so, to the Apalachicola National Forest of Florida.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: FL
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.686027
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.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 | CEGL004152 Beyrich''s Three-awn - Beaksedge species - Chapman''s Crownbeard Seepage Meadow | CEGL004152 | 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: < Panhandle Seepage Savannas (Carr et al. 2010)
= Savannah, Verbesina Phase (Clewell 1971)
= Savannah, Verbesina Phase (Clewell 1971)
- 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.