Print Report
CEGL004178 Cladium mariscus Tidal Salt Marsh
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Swamp Sawgrass Tidal Salt Marsh
Colloquial Name: Tidal Sawgrass Salt Marsh
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association is a brackish marsh of the northern Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Coast. Examples are dominated by Cladium mariscus ssp. jamaicense in often dense stands. Additional species may include Juncus roemerianus, Osmunda regalis, Polygonum hydropiperoides, Spartina alterniflora, Spartina bakeri, Typha domingensis, Amaranthus australis, Amaranthus cannabinus, Hibiscus sp., Solidago sempervirens var. mexicana, and Woodwardia virginica, among others. In addition, there may be a sparse tree layer (10-15 m tall) of Acer rubrum, Juniperus virginiana var. silicicola, and Sabal palmetto. There may also be a very sparse to moderate shrub layer (2-5 m) of Acer rubrum, Baccharis angustifolia, Morella cerifera, and Salix caroliniana, among others. In addition, the noxious exotic Triadica sebifera could be present.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This type is found in tidal rivers of southern and central North Carolina, as well as in wind-tidal (microtidal) embayed region. It was reported that this type is not known to occur on the Atlantic Coast of Florida (A. Johnson pers. comm.). However, in a more recent communication with Ann Johnson, she determined that she was mistaken and that brackish sawgrass marshes do occur along the Atlantic Coast of Florida. In southeastern Virginia this species is found as a component of wind-tidal marshes and does not typically dominate.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Stands are typically dominated by a very dense herbaceous layer of Cladium mariscus ssp. jamaicense. Additional species may include Juncus roemerianus, Osmunda regalis, Polygonum hydropiperoides, Spartina alterniflora, Spartina bakeri, Typha domingensis, Amaranthus australis, Amaranthus cannabinus, Hibiscus sp., Solidago sempervirens var. mexicana, and Woodwardia virginica, among others. In addition, there may be a sparse tree layer (10-15 m tall) of Acer rubrum, Juniperus virginiana var. silicicola, and Sabal palmetto. There may also be a very sparse to moderate shrub layer (2-5 m) of Acer rubrum, Baccharis angustifolia, Morella cerifera, and Salix caroliniana, among others. In addition, the noxious exotic Triadica sebifera could be present.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: In Florida this association occurs along the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Coast in tidally influenced, upper reaches of river mouths where estuarine (salt) marshes blend with freshwater marshes (FNAI 1990). At this juncture, salinity levels are greatly diminished, allowing Cladium mariscus ssp. jamaicense (which is relatively salt intolerant) to form dense stands.
Geographic Range: This brackish marsh occurs along the northern Gulf of Mexico and southern Atlantic Coast, ranging from Louisiana to Florida and north to North Carolina.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AL, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688096
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.5 Salt Marsh Formation | F035 | 2.C.5 |
| Division | 2.C.5.Nb North American Atlantic & Gulf Coastal Salt Marsh Division | D034 | 2.C.5.Nb |
| Macrogroup | 2.C.5.Nb.1 North American Atlantic & Gulf Coastal Salt Marsh Macrogroup | M079 | 2.C.5.Nb.1 |
| Group | 2.C.5.Nb.1.d Southern Cattail - Bulrush species - Awl-leaf Arrowhead Tidal Salt Marsh Group | G120 | 2.C.5.Nb.1.d |
| Alliance | A4492 <i>Spartina alterniflora - Spartina cynosuroides - Cladium mariscus</i> Brackish Tidal Marsh Alliance | A4492 | 2.C.5.Nb.1.d |
| Association | CEGL004178 Swamp Sawgrass Tidal Salt Marsh | CEGL004178 | 2.C.5.Nb.1.d |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Cladium mariscus ssp. jamaicense Tidal Herbaceous Vegetation (McManamay 2017b)
- GNHP [Georgia Natural Heritage Program]. 2018. Unpublished data. Georgia Natural Heritage Program, Wildlife Resources Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Social Circle.
- Johnson, Ann F. Personal communication. Florida Natural Areas Inventory, Tallahassee.
- LNHP [Louisiana Natural Heritage Program]. 2009. Natural communities of Louisiana. Louisiana Natural Heritage Program, Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, Baton Rouge. 46 pp. [http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/page_wildlife/6776-Rare%20Natural%20Communities/LA_NAT_COM.pdf]
- MSNHP [Mississippi Natural Heritage Program]. 2006. Ecological communities of Mississippi. Museum of Natural Science, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, Jackson, MS. 9 pp.
- McManamay, R. H. 2017a. Vegetation mapping at Cumberland Island National Seashore. Natural Resource Report NPS/SECN/NRR--2017/1511. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 422 pp.
- McManamay, R. H. 2017b. Vegetation mapping at Cape Lookout National Seashore. Natural Resource Report NPS/SECN/NRR--2017/1561. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 264 pp.
- Nelson, J. B. 1986. The natural communities of South Carolina: Initial classification and description. South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department, Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, Columbia, SC. 55 pp.
- Schafale, M. P. 2012. Classification of the natural communities of North Carolina, 4th Approximation. North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh.
- Schafale, M. P., and A. S. Weakley. 1990. Classification of the natural communities of North Carolina. Third approximation. North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh. 325 pp.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.