Print Report

CEGL004473 Sagittaria subulata - Limosella australis Tidal Marsh

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Awl-leaf Arrowhead - Welsh Mudwort Tidal Marsh

Colloquial Name: North Atlantic Coastal Plain River Brackish Intertidal Mudflat

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This brackish (salinity levels range from 0.5-18.0 ppt) tidal flat community occurs along the northeastern Atlantic coast on muddy to sandy substrates of broad, flat tidal rivershores. The flats are exposed at low tide and submerged at high tide. Vegetation is of variable cover and may be quite sparse. Characteristic plants are low-growing rosette species such as Sagittaria subulata, Sagittaria calycina var. spongiosa, Limosella australis, Lilaeopsis chinensis, Festuca filiformis, Polygonum arifolium, Polygonum hydropiperoides, Ptilimnium capillaceum, Zannichellia palustris, and Eleocharis parvula.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Classification of this vegetation on Cape Cod is problematic, where it occurs in very small patches. Classification of this type on Cape Cod must be considered provisional until further rangewide data are collected.

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

Floristics: These brackish intertidal mud flats are sparsely vegetated with low-growing, rosette-forming herbs. Characteristic plants are low-growing rosette species and others such as Sagittaria subulata, Sagittaria calycina var. spongiosa (= Sagittaria spathulata), Limosella australis (= Limosella subulata), Lilaeopsis chinensis, Festuca filiformis, Polygonum arifolium, Polygonum hydropiperoides, Ptilimnium capillaceum, Zannichellia palustris, and Eleocharis parvula.

Dynamics:  These intertidal mud flats occur along broad, flat, gently sloping shores where sediments accumulate. They are regularly flooded by diurnal tides. The size of the flats depends on coastal morphology and tidal range. Tidal action determines sediment movement and texture; flats with greater wave activity will have coarser substrates. Tidal flats are utilized by a host of benthic and pelagic organisms as well as birds.
Environmental Description:  These communities occur on gently sloping intertidal mud flats and occasionally in tidal creek channels exposed at low tide. The flats are fresh to brackish and are diurnally flooded by tides. These are best developed along broad, flat areas protected from direct wave action, occurring behind barrier beaches or along tidal rivers. Substrate is generally silty mud with high organic matter content and can have greater sand component in settings with relatively more water energy.
Geographic Range: This association occurs along the Atlantic coast from Maine to Virginia. It may also occur in Canada.

Nations: CA?,US

States/Provinces:  CT, DE, LB?, MA, MD, ME, NB?, NF?, NH, NJ, NS?, NY, PA, PE?, QC?, RI


Confidence Level: Low

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2G4

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.1 Annual Wild Rice - Saltmeadow Cordgrass - Pickerelweed Fresh-Oligohaline Tidal Marsh Macrogroup M066 2.C.4.Ne.1
Group 2.C.4.Ne.1.c <i>Zizania aquatica - Spartina patens - Amaranthus cannabinus</i> Freshwater Tidal Marsh Group G914 2.C.4.Ne.1.c
Alliance A4017 Green Arrow-arum - Pickerelweed - Arrowhead species Oligohaline Tidal Marsh Alliance A4017 2.C.4.Ne.1.c
Association CEGL004473 Awl-leaf Arrowhead - Welsh Mudwort Tidal Marsh CEGL004473 2.C.4.Ne.1.c
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Sagittaria subulata - Zannichellia palustris community (Metzler and Barrett 2006)
? Southern New England/Gulf of Maine Fresh/ Brackish Subtidal Estuarine Community (Rawinski 1984a)
? Southern New England/Gulf of Maine Saline/ Brackish Intertidal Flat (Rawinski 1984a)
Concept Author(s): K. Metzler and L.A. Sneddon

Author of Description: S.L. Neid and L.A. Sneddon

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 05-13-02
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