Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: Cladium mariscoides is the dominant herb. Associate herbaceous plant species include Eriocaulon decangulare, Andropogon glomeratus var. hirsutior, Eriophorum virginicum, Bidens coronata, Sagittaria engelmanniana, Sagittaria latifolia, Fuirena squarrosa, Rhynchospora alba, Spiranthes cernua, Eleocharis robbinsii, Dulichium arundinaceum, Lycopus amplectens, Bartonia paniculata, Woodwardia areolata, Bidens mitis, Juncus pelocarpus, and Pogonia ophioglossoides. Several insectivorous plants are also present within this community: Sarracenia purpurea, Drosera rotundifolia, Drosera intermedia, Utricularia striata (= Utricularia fibrosa), and Utricularia juncea. Scattered shrubs, including Smilax walteri, Smilax laurifolia, Clethra alnifolia, Alnus maritima, and Vaccinium corymbosum, are present along the edges of the peat mat community along with occasional Acer rubrum seedlings and saplings.

Dynamics:  This plant community will not likely persist, as it may be just one stage in the classic example of succession from open water to peatland to forested wetland. Therefore, in order to maintain this habitat and the state-rare plants that occur here, management is needed. In particular, control of woody vegetation invading along the perimeter as well as in the interior of this habitat is needed. It is recommended that during the fall to early winter months, woody vegetation should be cut and bare stumps treated with an appropriate herbicide. Management during this time will ensure that trampling of sensitive plants will be minimal. In addition, the non-native subspecies common reed (Phragmites australis ssp. australis) is well-established here in the southwestern end of the site. This subspecies should be a priority for control in order to prevent its inevitable spread throughout the site.