Print Report

CEGL006549 Carex canescens - Eriophorum virginicum / Sphagnum spp. Fen

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Silvery Sedge - Tawny Cottongrass / Peatmoss species Fen

Colloquial Name: Central Appalachian Sedge - Cottongrass Fen

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This mixed-sedge peatland type is known from higher elevations in the Central Appalachians and scattered northward in New England. It is a weakly acidic fen type that occurs on temporarily flooded, semipermanently flooded, and saturated peat. It forms part of successional beaver-influenced wetland mosaics and often contains dead snags or moss-covered downed wood. Hummock-and-hollow microtopography is well-developed. The vegetation is dominated by low to medium-height sedges over a well-developed mat of Sphagnum spp. or Polytrichum spp. Dominant sedges include Carex canescens and Eriophorum virginicum. Associates include Carex utriculata, Carex atlantica, Juncus effusus, Juncus canadensis, Juncus brevicaudatus, Rubus hispidus, Scirpus cyperinus, Glyceria canadensis, Triadenum virginicum, Lysimachia terrestris, Thelypteris palustris, and Aronia melanocarpa.

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: The vegetation is dominated by low to medium-height sedges over a well-developed mat of Sphagnum spp. or Polytrichum spp. Dominant sedges include Carex canescens and Eriophorum virginicum. Associates include Carex utriculata, Carex atlantica, Juncus effusus, Juncus brevicaudatus, Juncus canadensis, Scirpus cyperinus, Glyceria canadensis, Rubus hispidus, Triadenum virginicum (= Hypericum virginicum), Lysimachia terrestris, Thelypteris palustris, and Aronia melanocarpa. Mean species richness of all vascular plants and any nonvascular plants with cover >1% is 16 taxa per 400 m2 for 9 plots in West Virginia (Byers et al. 2007).

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  This mixed-sedge peatland type is known from higher elevations in the Central Appalachians and scattered northward in New England. It is a weakly acidic fen type that occurs on temporarily flooded, semipermanently flooded, and saturated peat. It forms part of successional beaver-influenced wetland mosaics and often contains dead snags or moss-covered downed wood. Hummock-and-hollow microtopography is well-developed.
Geographic Range: This mixed-sedge peatland type is known from higher elevations in the Central Appalachians and scattered northward in New England.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  MA, PA?, WV


Confidence Level: Low

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR

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.2 Temperate to Polar Bog & Fen Formation F016 2.C.2
Division 2.C.2.Na North American Bog & Fen Division D029 2.C.2.Na
Macrogroup 2.C.2.Na.1 Leatherleaf - Small Cranberry - Few-seed Sedge Bog & Acidic Fen Macrogroup M876 2.C.2.Na.1
Group 2.C.2.Na.1.a Leatherleaf - Few-seed Sedge - Bog Laurel Boreal Bog & Acidic Fen Group G748 2.C.2.Na.1.a
Alliance A4398 Leatherleaf / Woolly-fruit Sedge Poor Fen Alliance A4398 2.C.2.Na.1.a
Association CEGL006549 Silvery Sedge - Tawny Cottongrass / Peatmoss species Fen CEGL006549 2.C.2.Na.1.a
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Carex canescens / Polytrichum spp. - Sphagnum spp. herbaceous peatland (Byers et al. 2007)
= Carex canescens herbaceous community (Walbridge and Lang 1982)
= Carex canescens meadow (Walbridge 1982)
= Polytrichum - Carex canescens community (Wieder et al. 1981)
>< Polytrichum - Juncus effusus - Carex (canescens, brunnescens) hummock bog (Fortney 1975)
>< Sphagnum - Glyceria - Carex (canescens, brunnescens) bog (Fortney 1975)
Concept Author(s): Eastern Ecology Group

Author of Description: S.C. Gawler and E.A. Byers

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 05-11-07
  • Byers, E. A., J. P. Vanderhorst, and B. P. Streets. 2007. Classification and conservation assessment of high elevation wetland communities in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia. West Virginia Natural Heritage Program, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, Elkins.
  • Eastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boston, MA.
  • Fortney, R. H. 1975. The vegetation of Canaan Valley, West Virginia: A taxonomic and ecological study. Ph.D. dissertation, University of West Virginia, Morgantown.
  • Gawler, S. C., R. E. Zaremba, and Cogan Technology, Inc. 2017. Vegetation mapping inventory project: Minute Man National Historical Park, Massachusetts. Natural Resource Report NPS/MIMA/NRR--2017/1450. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
  • WVNHP [West Virginia Natural Heritage Program]. No date. Unpublished data. West Virginia Natural Heritage Program, Elkins.
  • Walbridge, M. R. 1982. Vegetation patterning and community distribution in four high-elevation headwater wetlands in West Virginia. M.S. thesis, West Virginia University, Morgantown.
  • Walbridge, M. R., and G. E. Lang. 1982. Major plant communities and patterns of community distribution in four wetlands of the unglaciated Appalachian region. In: R. B. MacDonald, editor. Proceedings of the Symposium on Wetlands of the Unglaciated Appalachian Region. West Virginia University, Morgantown.
  • Wieder, R. K., A. M. McCormick, and G. E. Lang. 1981. Vegetational analysis of Big Run Bog, a nonglaciated sphagnum bog in West Virginia. Castanea 46:16-29.