Print Report

CEGL007885 Paspalum vaginatum - Spartina patens Oligohaline Tidal Marsh

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Seashore Crowngrass - Saltmeadow Cordgrass Oligohaline Tidal Marsh

Colloquial Name: Chenier Plain Oligohaline Seashore Crowngrass - Saltmeadow Cordgrass Marsh

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This is one of two currently recognized Oligohaline Mixture Marsh types mainly in the Chenier Plain of coastal Louisiana and adjacent Texas, but also present in the Deltaic Plain of Louisiana to a limited degree. The type is strongly dominated by Paspalum vaginatum with Spartina patens as a frequent codominant. Species richness in the type is moderate. Additional common species include Sesbania drummondii, Echinochloa spp., Alternanthera philoxeroides (exotic), Schoenoplectus californicus, members of the Cyperaceae (including Cyperus articulatus, Cyperus haspan, Rhynchospora corniculata, Eleocharis spp.), Hibiscus lasiocarpos, Lythrum alatum var. lanceolatum, Panicum virgatum, Sacciolepis striata, Juncus effusus, Zizaniopsis miliacea, Bidens laevis, Phragmites australis, Typha spp., Sagittaria lancifolia, Sesbania herbacea, and others.

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: Though Spartina patens may codominate this community, many occurrences are dominated by Paspalum vaginatum. Additional common species include Bacopa monnieri, Sesbania drummondii, Echinochloa spp., Alternanthera philoxeroides (exotic), Juncus effusus, Schoenoplectus californicus (= Scirpus californicus), members of the Cyperaceae (including Cyperus articulatus, Cyperus haspan, Rhynchospora corniculata and Eleocharis spp.), Hibiscus lasiocarpos (= Hibiscus moscheutos ssp. lasiocarpos), Lythrum alatum var. lanceolatum, Panicum virgatum, Sacciolepis striata, Zizaniopsis miliacea, Bidens laevis, Phragmites australis, Typha spp., Sagittaria lancifolia, Baccharis halimifolia, Leptochloa fusca ssp. fascicularis (= Leptochloa fascicularis), Pluchea camphorata, Sesbania herbacea (= Sesbania macrocarpa), and others.

Dynamics:  Dominance patterns are likely related to gradients in salinity and hydrology and are poorly understood.
Environmental Description:  This association is found in oligohaline marshes of the Gulf Coast of Louisiana and Texas.
Geographic Range: This association is currently only known from the Gulf Coast of Texas and Louisiana.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  LA, TX


Confidence Level: Low

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.1 Annual Wild Rice - Saltmeadow Cordgrass - Pickerelweed Fresh-Oligohaline Tidal Marsh Macrogroup M066 2.C.4.Ne.1
Group 2.C.4.Ne.1.b <i>Zizaniopsis milacea - Spartina patens - Panicum hemotimon</i> Freshwater Tidal Marsh Group G913 2.C.4.Ne.1.b
Alliance A4014 Saltmeadow Cordgrass Gulf Coast Oligohaline Tidal Marsh Alliance A4014 2.C.4.Ne.1.b
Association CEGL007885 Seashore Crowngrass - Saltmeadow Cordgrass Oligohaline Tidal Marsh CEGL007885 2.C.4.Ne.1.b
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Oligohaline Paspalum (Visser et al. 2000)
= Oligohaline Mixture Marsh, Paspalum Variant (Visser and Sasser 1998)
Concept Author(s): Visser et al. (2000)

Author of Description: L.M. Smith

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 07-09-99
  • 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]
  • Smith, L. 1999. Coastal marsh types currently recognized in Louisiana and relationships with existing types in ICEC-TNC. Draft report. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Natural Heritage Program, Baton Rouge. 20 pp.
  • Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
  • Visser, J. M., C. E. Sasser, R. H. Chabreck, and R. G. Linscombe. 1998. Marsh vegetation types of the Mississippi River Deltaic Plain. Estuaries 21(48):818-828.
  • Visser, J. M., C. E. Sasser, R. H. Chabreck, and R. G. Linscombe. 2000. Marsh vegetation types of the Chenier Plain, Louisiana, USA. Estuaries 23(3):318-327.
  • Visser, J. M., and C. E. Sasser. 1998. 1997 Coastal vegetation analysis. Unpublished report to Greg Steyer, Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, Baton Rouge, LA. Draft report November 20, 1998. 47 pp.