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CEGL002190 Cephalanthus occidentalis / Carex spp. Midwest Shrub Swamp

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Common Buttonbush / Sedge species Midwest Shrub Swamp

Colloquial Name: Midwest Buttonbush Shrub Swamp

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This buttonbush swamp shrubland occurs throughout glaciated regions of the midwestern and northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. Stands occupy shallow water depressions, oxbow ponds, and backwater sloughs of stream and river floodplains. Inundation is usually continuous throughout the year, but these sites can become dry in mid or late summer or during periods of prolonged drought. Soils are deep (>100 cm) consisting of peat or muck over alluvial parent material. The shrub layer can vary from very open to closed (20-80%). Cephalanthus occidentalis typically comprises nearly 90% of the shrub layer in waters 1-2 m deep. Other shrubs commonly encountered include Cornus sericea, Decodon verticillatus, Ilex verticillata, Rosa palustris, and Salix nigra. The herbaceous layer can be very sparse, due to flooding. Rooted or floating aquatics may dominate, including Lemna minor and Nuphar advena. Herbs present on the shallow margins include Bidens frondosa, Boehmeria cylindrica, Carex lacustris, Glyceria striata, and others. A scattered tree canopy may occur, including the following species: Acer rubrum, Acer saccharinum, Fraxinus nigra, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, and Ulmus americana. Diagnostic features include the dominance by Cephalanthus occidentalis in glaciated regions and, typically, the presence of standing water.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: The limits of glaciation used to define the southern boundary of this type include all glacial periods. It may, however, be more practical to use the ecoregion map divisions, such that the southern limit is approximately equal to the southern boundaries of Sections 251C, 222G, 222H and 221F. A rule as to the percentage dominance of Cephalanthus occidentalis (e.g., at least 50% cover) is probably needed to distinguish this type from dogwood-willow swamps. See also ~Cephalanthus occidentalis - Decodon verticillatus Shrub Swamp (CEGL006069)$$, found in Lower New England and the mid-Atlantic and Central Appalachian regions of the eastern United States. This type is at the limit of its range in southeast IA, and although stands may occur, no firm documentation exists.

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

Floristics: The shrub layer can vary from very open to closed (20-80%). Cephalanthus occidentalis typically comprises nearly 90% of the shrub layer in waters 1-2 m deep. Other shrubs commonly encountered include Cornus sericea, Decodon verticillatus, Ilex verticillata, Rosa palustris, and Salix nigra. The herbaceous layer can be very sparse, due to flooding. Rooted or floating aquatics may dominate, including Lemna minor and Nuphar advena (= Nuphar lutea ssp. advena). Herbs present on the shallow margins include Bidens frondosa, Boehmeria cylindrica, Carex lacustris, Glyceria striata, and others. In Missouri Hibiscus laevis (= Hibiscus militaris) is common. A scattered tree canopy may occur, including the following species: Acer rubrum, Acer saccharinum, Fraxinus nigra, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, and Ulmus americana (Anderson 1996, Faber-Langendoen and Maycock 1989).

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  This wet shrubland community occupies shallow water depressions, oxbow ponds, and backwater sloughs of stream and river floodplains throughout swampy forested areas in glaciated terrain. Inundation is usually continuous throughout the year, but these sites can become dry in mid or late summer or during periods of prolonged drought (Faber-Langendoen and Maycock 1989). Soils are deep (>100 cm) consisting of peat or muck over alluvial parent material.
Geographic Range: This buttonbush swamp shrubland occurs throughout glaciated regions of the midwestern and northeastern United States and adjacent Canada, ranging from northern Missouri north to Indiana, Illinois, southern Michigan, and east to Ohio and southern Ontario. It may occur in southeast Iowa

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  IA?, IL, IN, MI, MO, OH


Confidence Level: Low

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4

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.Nd Eastern North American Temperate Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Division D323 2.C.4.Nd
Macrogroup 2.C.4.Nd.2 Broadleaf Cattail - White Snakeroot - Rush species Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Macrogroup M069 2.C.4.Nd.2
Group 2.C.4.Nd.2.e Prairie Cordgrass - Bluejoint - Sedge species Midwest Wet Prairie, Wet Meadow & Shrub Swamp Group G770 2.C.4.Nd.2.e
Alliance A4378 Red-osier Dogwood - Gray Alder - Common Buttonbush Midwest Shrub Swamp Alliance A4378 2.C.4.Nd.2.e
Association CEGL002190 Common Buttonbush / Sedge species Midwest Shrub Swamp CEGL002190 2.C.4.Nd.2.e
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Cephalanthus occidentalis / Carex spp. Northern Shrubland (Faber-Langendoen 2001)
Concept Author(s): D. Faber-Langendoen (2001)

Author of Description: D. Faber-Langendoen

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 07-16-98
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