Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Common Cow-parsnip Wet Meadow

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This is a lush forb meadow type of the Northern Rockies, in northwestern Montana and southern Alberta. Stands of this herbaceous vegetation are found on moderately sloped to flat benches, valley floors, and colluvial slopes, predominately on glacial deposits, with southeast aspects between 1671 to 1700 m (5480-5574 feet) elevation. Soils are moderately drained to well-drained silt or clay loams, and the ground surface is mostly litter and duff. This lush herbaceous association consists of a wide diversity of graminoids and forbs. Occasionally a few scattered shrubs are present with up to 10% combined cover, including Spiraea betulifolia, Amelanchier alnifolia, Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda, and Symphoricarpos occidentalis. There is a wide variety of tall forbs including Heracleum maximum, which, while not present nor dominant in all stands, is the indicator species for this wet association. Forbs consistently present are Osmorhiza occidentalis, Thalictrum occidentale, Potentilla gracilis, Fragaria virginiana, Achillea millefolium, and Valeriana sitchensis with 2-20% cover. Graminoids present consist of Bromus carinatus, Carex hoodii, and Carex geyeri.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This type from Glacier National Park is very similar to the other Heracleum maximum associations in the USNVC. Further comparison of stand tables and environmental settings is needed, but without additional inventory and compositional data, it will be difficult to determine if these represent variations of one association, or are best kept as distinct types.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available

note: No Data Available