Print Report

CEGL006044 Phalaris arundinacea Eastern Ruderal Marsh

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Reed Canarygrass Eastern Ruderal Marsh

Colloquial Name: Eastern Ruderal Reed Canarygrass Marsh

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This association is found throughout the northeastern United States and Canada, but its distribution as a natural type is complicated elsewhere. Phalaris arundinacea is native to the United States and Canada but is now more widely distributed and abundant because of local introductions from both local and European populations. The introduced strains may be more aggressive ecotypes than native strains. Stands are found in both minerotrophic basin wetlands as well as rivershores. Phalaris arundinacea has been widely used as a forage and hay crop, especially in marshes and floodplains, and it is used for wildlife food and for shoreline and ditch stabilization. Stands are dominated by Phalaris arundinacea, a 0.5- to 2-m tall perennial grass, which tends to occur in monocultures or associated with Calamagrostis canadensis. Associates in the glaciated Northeast include Viburnum nudum, Alnus incana or Alnus serrulata, Viburnum dentatum, and Agrostis gigantea. In Central Appalachian bottomland old fields, characteristic associates include Verbesina alternifolia (which may be codominant), Solidago rugosa, Boehmeria cylindrica, and Euthamia graminifolia, along with exotic species such as Glechoma hederacea, Securigera varia, Rosa multiflora, and Elaeagnus umbellata. Midwest associates include species characteristic of wet meadows. Phalaris arundinacea can displace native species over time. Further work is required to resolve the natural versus introduced nature of this type in the Southeast before a description can be completed.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Type has a broad distribution; in fact, it is widespread throughout temperate areas of the northern hemisphere. It is native to the United States and Canada, but is now more widely distributed and abundant because of local introductions from both local and European populations (Apfelbaum and Sams 1987). It can invade a variety of habitats, suggesting that little unites these stands apart from the dominance of Phalaris arundinacea. However, that may be the only reasonable way to describe this type. This vegetation is documented from Shady Valley TNC Preserve, Johnson County, Tennessee, where it occupies channelized streams, impoundments, and fen restoration sites. In these examples, characteristic associates include Juncus effusus, Carex lurida, Carex gynandra, and Alnus serrulata.

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

Floristics: Stands are dominated by Phalaris arundinacea, a 0.5- to 2-m tall perennial grass that is native to the United States and Canada, but which has also been introduced from European strains. The introduced strains may be more aggressive ecotypes than native strains (Barnes 1999). It tends to occur in monocultures or associated with Calamagrostis canadensis or, less commonly, with a mixture of forbs equaling the graminoid cover. Associates in the glaciated Northeast include Viburnum nudum, Salix spp., Alnus incana or Alnus serrulata, Viburnum dentatum, Poa palustris, Mentha arvensis, Leersia virginica, Lythrum salicaria, and Agrostis gigantea. In Central Appalachian bottomland old fields, characteristic associates include Verbesina alternifolia (which may be codominant), Solidago rugosa, Boehmeria cylindrica, and Euthamia graminifolia, along with exotic species such as Glechoma hederacea, Securigera varia (= Coronilla varia), Rosa multiflora, and Elaeagnus umbellata. Midwest associates include species characteristic of wet meadows. Phalaris arundinacea can displace native species over time (Apfelbaum and Sams 1987, Barnes 1999, and references therein). Further work is required to resolve the natural versus introduced nature of this type in the Southeast.

Dynamics:  Shoreline habitats can be temporarily or seasonally flooded in spring. Phalaris arundinacea may respond well to summer drawdowns (Barnes 1999).
Environmental Description:  Stands are found in both minerotrophic basin wetlands as well as rivershores. The dominant species has been widely used as a forage and hay crop, especially in marshes and floodplains, and it is used for wildlife food and for shoreline and ditch stabilization (Barnes 1999).
Geographic Range: This association is found throughout the northeastern United States and Canada, but its distribution as a natural type is complicated elsewhere. It currently ranges from Virginia north to Vermont, east to Minnesota and south to Tennessee.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  CT, DE, IA, IN, MA, MD, ME, MN, NH, NJ, NY, OH, ON, PA, QC?, RI, TN, VA, VT, WI?, WV


Confidence Level: Moderate

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNA

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.Nd Eastern North American Temperate Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Division D323 2.C.4.Nd
Macrogroup 2.C.4.Nd.90 Common Rush - Purple Loosestrife - Reed Canarygrass Eastern North American Ruderal Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Macrogroup M303 2.C.4.Nd.90
Group 2.C.4.Nd.90.b Reed Canarygrass - Common Reed - Narrowleaf Cattail Ruderal Wet Meadow & Marsh Group G556 2.C.4.Nd.90.b
Alliance A1381 Reed Canarygrass Ruderal Marsh Alliance A1381 2.C.4.Nd.90.b
Association CEGL006044 Reed Canarygrass Eastern Ruderal Marsh CEGL006044 2.C.4.Nd.90.b
Concept Lineage: merged into existing 6044

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Phalaris arundinacea temporarily flooded grasslands (Metzler and Barrett 2006)
= Bottomland old fields (Vanderhorst 2001a)
? Reed canary grass riverine grassland (Perles et al. 2004)
? SNE low-energy riverbank community (Rawinski 1984a)
? Southern New England nutrient-poor streamside/lakeside marsh (Rawinski 1984a)
? Southern New England nutrient-rich streamside/lakeside marsh (Rawinski 1984a)
Concept Author(s): D. Faber-Langendoen

Author of Description: D. Faber-Langendoen and S.C. Gawler

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 10-04-06
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