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CEGL004952 Fuirena scirpoidea - Fuirena longa - Rhynchospora microcarpa - Rhynchospora divergens Marsh

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Southern Umbrella-sedge - Coastal Plain Umbrella-sedge - Southern Beaksedge - Spreading Beaksedge Marsh

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This association occupies natural freshwater pothole ponds and interdunal swales in neutral to moderately alkaline sands of Pleistocene and Holocene barrier islands in the Gulf Coastal Bend of southern Texas. The vegetation is dominated by Rhynchospora spp., Fuirena spp., Eleocharis spp., and Cyperus spp. In addition to Fuirena scirpoidea, Fuirena longa, Rhynchospora microcarpa, and Rhynchospora divergens, other characteristic and common species include Rhynchospora nitens, Cyperus oxylepis, Cyperus polystachyos var. texensis, Eleocharis geniculata, Eleocharis flavescens, Eleocharis montevidensis, Eleocharis parvula, Xyris jupicai, Agalinis fasciculata, Bacopa monnieri, Buchnera americana, Oldenlandia uniflora, Spiranthes vernalis, Drosera brevifolia, and Utricularia subulata. This association occupies sandy depressions, with variable hydrology. Following heavy rains, these ponds can be inundated for several weeks, but desiccate and draw down in drier periods. Structure and composition vary with depth of water (or depth to water table) and frequency of inundation, ranging from sparse cover of tufted annuals to complete coverage by rhizomatous perennials. Long-term drying due to natural succession or anthropogenic drainage can result in upland grassland types dominated by Andropogon virginicus and/or Schizachyrium scoparium. This association often occurs in a matrix of ~Quercus fusiformis - Persea borbonia Forest (CEGL002117)$$ in ~Quercus fusiformis - Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii Forest Alliance (A3190)$$.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Nominal species are selected to encompass some of the seasonal and pond-to-pond variation in the association.

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

Floristics: In addition to Fuirena scirpoidea, Fuirena longa, Rhynchospora microcarpa, and Rhynchospora divergens, other characteristic and common species include Rhynchospora nitens, Cyperus oxylepis, Cyperus polystachyos var. texensis, Eleocharis geniculata (= Eleocharis caribaea), Eleocharis flavescens, Eleocharis montevidensis, Eleocharis parvula, Xyris jupicai, Agalinis fasciculata, Bacopa monnieri, Buchnera americana (= Buchnera floridana), Oldenlandia uniflora (= Hedyotis uniflora var. fasciculata), Spiranthes vernalis, Drosera brevifolia, and Utricularia subulata.

Dynamics:  Following heavy rains, these ponds can be inundated for several weeks, but desiccate and draw down in drier periods. Structure and composition vary with depth of water (or depth to water table) and frequency of inundation, ranging from sparse cover of tufted annuals to complete coverage by rhizomatous perennials. Long-term drying due to natural succession or anthropogenic drainage can result in upland grassland types dominated by Andropogon virginicus and/or Schizachyrium scoparium.
Environmental Description:  This association occupies natural freshwater pothole ponds and interdunal swales in neutral to moderately alkaline sands of Pleistocene and Holocene barrier islands in the Gulf Coastal Bend of southern Texas. This association occupies sandy depressions, with variable hydrology. Following heavy rains, these ponds can be inundated for several weeks, but desiccate and draw down in drier periods.
Geographic Range: This community is known only from the Ingleside barrier-strandplain in the Texas Gulf Coastal Bend.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  TX


Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2

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.2 Beaksedge species - Spikerush species - Panicgrass species Atlantic & Gulf Coastal Plain Wet Prairie & Marsh Macrogroup M067 2.C.4.Ne.2
Group 2.C.4.Ne.2.c Marsh Fimbry - Spikerush species - Southern Umbrella-sedge Coastal Interdunal Marsh & Prairie Group G777 2.C.4.Ne.2.c
Alliance A3401 Slim Spikerush - Horsetail Spikerush - Southern Umbrella-sedge Interdunal Marsh Alliance A3401 2.C.4.Ne.2.c
Association CEGL004952 Southern Umbrella-sedge - Coastal Plain Umbrella-sedge - Southern Beaksedge - Spreading Beaksedge Marsh CEGL004952 2.C.4.Ne.2.c
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): B. Carr and L. Williams

Author of Description: B. Carr and L. Williams

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 10-23-02
  • Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.