Print Report

CEGL001167 Cornus sericea / Heracleum maximum Wet Shrubland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Red-osier Dogwood / Common Cow-parsnip Wet Shrubland

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This association occurs at mid elevations, below 2135 m (7000 feet), most commonly from the Wasatch Range of Utah, north through eastern Idaho. This early- to mid-seral association usually forms on infrequently flooded terraces along moderate- to high-gradient streams of variable size. The development of Mollisols on these terraces indicates that this association is stable enough for the incorporation of organic matter into otherwise well-drained and rocky soils. Tall Cornus sericea forms a dense shrub layer with an average cover of about 70%. Salix boothii, Salix lutea, or other Salix spp. are sometimes subdominant, while Rosa woodsii and Ribes spp. are common with low cover. The herbaceous understory is variable, but Heracleum maximum is diagnostic, usually with at least 5% cover (typically 15-20%); its cover is usually greater than any other herbaceous species. Other frequently occurring species, all with low to moderate cover, include Galium triflorum, Geum macrophyllum, Maianthemum stellatum, Mertensia ciliata, and Urtica dioica. It is distinguished from similar associations by the presence of a generous herbaceous layer dominated by Heracleum maximum.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This association has been broadly defined from 9 plots in eastern Idaho and 7 plots from Utah (Youngblood et al. 1985a, Padgett et al. 1989). Padgett et al.''s (1989) treatment represents a broader association that may include both Youngblood et al.''s (1985a) Cornus sericea / Galium triflorum and Cornus sericea / Heracleum maximum associations. Only about two-thirds of Padgett et al. (1989) plots seem to represent this association; the other plots best describe mixed Cornus sericea and Salix species types. Dominance by Cornus sericea, combined with high constancy and moderate cover of Heracleum maximum, is considered diagnostic and distinguishes this type from other associations. Heracleum maximum has high constancy, but less than 5% cover, in the Cornus sericea - Acer glabrum association from eastern Oregon (Crowe et al. 2002). This association is also related to stands codominated by Cornus sericea and Salix species (especially Salix lutea), which sometimes have low to moderate cover of Heracleum maximum (i.e., Manning and Padgett 1995, Crawford 2001). In eastern Washington, Heracleum maximum has only low cover and constancy in the Cornus sericea/mesic forb association described by Kovalchik (2001). One stand of the Cornus sericea association sampled by Crawford (2001) in the Columbia Basin is very similar to the Cornus sericea / Heracleum maximum association.

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

Floristics: Tall Cornus sericea forms a dense shrub layer with an average cover of about 70%. Salix boothii, Salix lutea, or other Salix spp. are sometimes subdominant, while Rosa woodsii and Ribes spp. are common with low cover. The herbaceous understory is variable, but Heracleum maximum is diagnostic, usually with at least 5% cover (typically 15-20%); its cover is usually greater than any other herbaceous species. Other frequently occurring species, all with low to moderate cover, include Galium triflorum, Geum macrophyllum, Maianthemum stellatum, Mertensia ciliata, and Urtica dioica. It is distinguished from similar associations by the presence of a generous herbaceous layer dominated by Heracleum maximum (= Heracleum lanatum).

Dynamics:  This association is a relatively stable, early- to mid-seral type (Padgett et al. 1989). Youngblood et al. (1985a) tentatively suggest that the Cornus sericea association is seral to Picea / Cornus sericea. Dense shrubs and accumulation of organic matter on soil surfaces prevents most conifer seedling establishment, but if flooding and deposition of mineral soil occurs, conifers or other species may establish. Limited livestock forage is available in the understory, and movement through dense Cornus sericea stands is often difficult (Padgett et al. 1989). Cornus sericea is a vigorously resprouting species tolerant of moderate disturbances including fire, flooding, and wildlife browsing. Overuse of Cornus sericea/mesic forb stands by livestock may lead to loss of shrub vigor, decreases in mesic forbs (including Heracleum maximum), and invasion by Poa pratensis (Kovalchik 2001).
Environmental Description:  This early- to mid-seral association usually forms on infrequently flooded terraces along moderate- to high-gradient streams of variable size. The development of Mollisols on these terraces indicates that this association is stable enough for the incorporation of organic matter into otherwise well-drained and rocky soils.
Geographic Range: This association occurs most commonly from the Wasatch Range of Utah, north through eastern Idaho, with occasional stands in southwestern Utah and western Wyoming.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  CO, ID, UT, WY


Confidence Level: Moderate

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3

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.Nb Western North American Temperate Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Division D031 2.C.4.Nb
Macrogroup 2.C.4.Nb.5 Sitka Alder - Booth''s Willow / Northwest Territory Sedge Montane Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Macrogroup M893 2.C.4.Nb.5
Group 2.C.4.Nb.5.d Willow species - Alder species - Water Birch Riparian & Seep Shrubland Group G527 2.C.4.Nb.5.d
Alliance A3773 Red-osier Dogwood - Shrubby-cinquefoil - Currant species Wet Shrubland Alliance A3773 2.C.4.Nb.5.d
Association CEGL001167 Red-osier Dogwood / Common Cow-parsnip Wet Shrubland CEGL001167 2.C.4.Nb.5.d
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Cornus sericea - Acer glabrum association (Crowe et al. 2002)
? Cornus sericea association (Crawford 2001)
? Cornus sericea/mesic forb association (Kovalchik 2001)
Concept Author(s): C. Murphy

Author of Description: C. Murphy

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 10-22-02
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