Print Report

CEGL003904 Baccharis halimifolia - Crataegus berberifolia / Eleocharis sp. - Tridens strictus - Euthamia leptocephala Shrubland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Groundsel-tree - Barberry Hawthorn / Spikerush species - Longspike Tridens - Bushy Goldentop Shrubland

Colloquial Name: Coastal Plain Inland Wet Salt Barrens

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This association is one of several inland saline prairie associations, associated with outcrops of saline material from inland salt domes of the West Gulf Coastal Plain. This is a low (wet), shrubby phase of Saline Prairie, found in Arkansas and Louisiana, and possibly Texas. The shrub stratum (50-90% cover) is dominated by Baccharis halimifolia, and also has Crataegus berberifolia and Sideroxylon lanuginosum. The herb stratum includes Eleocharis sp., Tridens strictus, Euthamia leptocephala, Ptilimnium sp., Tradescantia occidentalis, Nothoscordum bivalve, Eupatorium serotinum, Polygonum aviculare, Atriplex cristata, and Heliotropium curassavicum.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This is a low (wet), shrubby phase of Louisiana''s Saline Prairie. Additional information about this vegetation is needed. This association is specifically designed to accommodate a combination of saline and calcareous conditions. This may be better placed in temporarily flooded -- though often saturated, it also receives overbank flooding from adjacent creeks. This shrubland probably co-occurs with ~Quercus stellata - Quercus similis - Quercus marilandica Saline Woodland (CEGL008418)$$ and ~Aristida longespica - Schizachyrium scoparium - Diodia teres Saline Grassland (CEGL008419)$$ in Arkansas.

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

Floristics: The shrub stratum of this saline prairie association (50-90% cover) is dominated by Baccharis halimifolia, and also has Crataegus berberifolia and Sideroxylon lanuginosum. The herb stratum includes Eleocharis sp., Tridens strictus, Euthamia leptocephala, Ptilimnium sp., Tradescantia occidentalis, Nothoscordum bivalve, Eupatorium serotinum, Polygonum aviculare, Atriplex cristata (= Atriplex pentandra), and Heliotropium curassavicum.

Dynamics:  This is a low (wet), shrubby phase of Louisiana''s Saline Prairie. This association is specifically designed to accommodate a combination of saline and calcareous conditions. The hydrology of this association is questionable; although often saturated, it also receives overbank flooding from adjacent creeks.
Environmental Description:  No Data Available
Geographic Range: This association is known only from saline soils at a few scattered sites in northwestern Louisiana and presumably adjacent Arkansas. A report of this type in eastern Texas (Keith 2003) needs to be confirmed.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AR, LA, TX?


Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G1

Greasons: No Data Available
Type Name Database Code Classification Code
Class 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class C02 2
Subclass 2.B Temperate & Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Subclass S18 2.B
Formation 2.B.2 Temperate Grassland & Shrubland Formation F012 2.B.2
Division 2.B.2.Nh Southeastern North American Grassland & Shrubland Division D102 2.B.2.Nh
Macrogroup 2.B.2.Nh.3 Poverty Dropseed - Little Bluestem - Calamint species Southern Barrens & Glade Macrogroup M308 2.B.2.Nh.3
Group 2.B.2.Nh.3.a Little Bluestem - Limestone Calamint - Nuttall''s Rayless-goldenrod Southeastern Coastal Plain Barrens & Glade Group G584 2.B.2.Nh.3.a
Alliance A4093 Narrowleaf Marsh-elder - Limestone Calamint - Saltgrass West Gulf Coastal Plain Saline & Weches Bedrock Grassland Alliance A4093 2.B.2.Nh.3.a
Association CEGL003904 Groundsel-tree - Barberry Hawthorn / Spikerush species - Longspike Tridens - Bushy Goldentop Shrubland CEGL003904 2.B.2.Nh.3.a
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
Concept Author(s): L.M. Smith and A.S. Weakley

Author of Description: L.M. Smith and A.S. Weakley

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 12-01-95
  • Keith, E. 2003. Botanical assessment report for compartments 01303 in county. Compartment-stand: 01303-018. Raven Environmental Services, Inc. 1 p.
  • 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]
  • Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.