Print Report

CEGL001584 Salix drummondiana / Carex scopulorum var. prionophylla Wet Shrubland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Drummond''s Willow / Fire-thread Sedge Wet Shrubland

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This association is relatively abundant in the subalpine zone of the northeast Cascades and less common in the Canadian Rockies of Washington. It may extend into British Columbia along the border. This wet, high-elevation shrub fen is usually located between 1220-1922 m (4000-6300 feet) elevation and is dominated by tall willows (over 2 m). It is usually found along very low- to moderately low-gradient streams or with ponds or lakes in fen shrublands. Soils are typically well-aerated, nutrient-rich sedge peat soils with a shallow water table and surface water apparent during the growing season. Salix drummondiana is the most common shrub although Salix boothii can be dominant. A shorter willow, Salix farriae, can be common and subdominant in some stands. Picea engelmannii trees usually appear in the fen as scattered individuals. Carex scopulorum var. prionophylla dominates the community and may share some space with Carex utriculata. Calamagrostis canadensis is the only other species that occurs regularly, although in low abundance. Sphagnum mosses are common and can be abundant.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: No Data Available

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

Floristics: Salix drummondiana is the most common tall shrub although Salix boothii can be dominant. A shorter willow, Salix farriae, can be common and subdominant in some stands. Picea engelmannii trees usually appear in the fen as scattered individuals. Carex scopulorum var. prionophylla dominates the community and may share some space with Carex utriculata. Calamagrostis canadensis is the only other species that occurs regularly, although in low abundance. Sphagnum mosses are common and can be abundant.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  This wet, high-elevation shrub fen is usually located between 1220-1922 m (4000-6300 feet) elevation and is dominated by tall willows (over 2 m). It is usually found along very low- to moderately low-gradient streams or with ponds or lakes in fen shrublands. Soils are typically well-aerated, nutrient-rich sedge peat soils with a shallow water table and surface water apparent during the growing season.
Geographic Range: This association is relatively abundant in the subalpine zone of the northeast Cascades and less common in the Canadian Rockies of Washington, and a few locations of northern Idaho. It may extend into British Columbia along the border.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  ID, OR, WA


Confidence Level: Low

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2G3

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 A3769 Booth''s Willow - Geyer''s Willow - Yellow Willow Montane Wet Shrubland Alliance A3769 2.C.4.Nb.5.d
Association CEGL001584 Drummond''s Willow / Fire-thread Sedge Wet Shrubland CEGL001584 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: = Salix / Carex scopulorum var. prionophylla (Kovalchik 2001) [p. 226]
Concept Author(s): Western Ecology Group

Author of Description: R.C. Crawford

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 10-16-02
  • Bailey, R. G., P. E. Avers, T. King, and W. H. McNab, editors. 1994. Ecoregions and subregions of the United States (map). U.S. Geological Survey, Washington, DC. Scale 1:7,500,000 colored. Accompanied by a supplementary table of map unit descriptions compiled and edited by W. H. McNab and R. G. Bailey. Prepared for the USDA Forest Service.
  • IDCDC [Idaho Conservation Data Center]. 2005. Wetland and riparian plant associations in Idaho. Idaho Conservation Data Center, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Boise. [http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/tech/CDC/ecology/wetland_riparian_assoc.cfm] (accessed 14 June 2005).
  • IDCDC [Idaho Conservation Data Center]. No date. Unpublished data on file at Idaho Conservation Data Center, Department of Fish and Game, Boise, ID.
  • Kagan, J. S., J. A. Christy, M. P. Murray, and J. A. Titus. 2004. Classification of native vegetation of Oregon. January 2004. Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center, Portland. 52 pp.
  • Kagan, Jimmy. Personal communication. Coordinator, Oregon Natural Heritage Program, Portland.
  • Kovalchik, B. L. 1993. Riparian plant associations on the national forests of eastern Washington - Draft version 1. USDA Forest Service, Colville National Forest, Colville, WA. 203 pp.
  • Kovalchik, B. L. 2001. Classification and management of aquatic, riparian and wetland sites on the national forests of eastern Washington. Part 1: The series descriptions. 429 pp. plus appendix. [http://www.reo.gov/col/wetland_classification/wetland_classification.pdf]
  • Kovalchik, Bud L. Personal communication. U.S. Forest Service riparian ecologist, retired. Colville, WA.
  • WNHP [Washington Natural Heritage Program]. 2018. Unpublished data files. Washington Natural Heritage Program, Department of Natural Resources, Olympia, WA.
  • Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.