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G129 Cladium mariscus - Eleocharis cellulosa - Rhynchospora tracyi Freshwater Marsh Group

Type Concept Sentence: The Everglades of southern Florida is a very large and slowly flowing freshwater marsh dominated by Cladium mariscus ssp. jamaicense, with slightly higher wet flats dominated by Eleocharis cellulosa, Rhynchospora tracyi, Pontederia cordata, or Panicum hemitomon.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Swamp Sawgrass - Gulf Coast Spikerush - Tracy''s Beaksedge Freshwater Marsh Group

Colloquial Name: South Florida Freshwater Marsh & Wet Prairie

Hierarchy Level:  Group

Type Concept: This group encompasses south Florida freshwater marsh communities which commonly are dominated by tall or short-statured Cladium mariscus ssp. jamaicense. Wet flats may be dominated by Eleocharis cellulosa, Rhynchospora tracyi, Pontederia cordata, or Panicum hemitomon. This group includes the extensive Everglades, as well as herbaceous marshes in depression wetlands in south Florida. Marshes in depression ponds have some different plants; Aristida palustris is characteristic. Soils vary from shallow marl to relatively deep peat. Hydroperiods range from 5-12 months.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Cladium mariscus ssp. jamaicense is the single most characteristic and dominant species of this group. Eleocharis cellulosa, Rhynchospora tracyi, Nymphaea odorata, Pontederia cordata, and Panicum hemitomon can all be dominant in certain areas. This group represents vegetation limited to south Florida, most notably the Everglades.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Cladium mariscus ssp. jamaicense communities outside of southern Florida are not included here.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: These are graminoid wetlands. The stature can vary from 20 cm to over 3 m tall.

Floristics: Marsh communities include tall and short-statured Cladium mariscus ssp. jamaicense. Wet flats may be dominated by Eleocharis cellulosa, Rhynchospora tracyi, Pontederia cordata, or Panicum hemitomon. In the absence of fire, portions of stands will become dominated by Salix caroliniana. Other aquatic and wetland plants that may be present include Bacopa caroliniana, Ceratophyllum demersum, Najas guadalupensis, Utricularia inflata, Nuphar advena, Nymphaea odorata, Chara sp., Pistia stratiotes, Sagittaria lancifolia, and Thalia geniculata. Ferns include Acrostichum danaeifolium, Nephrolepis exaltata, and Blechnum serrulatum. Grasses and graminoids may include Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani, Typha domingensis, and Zizaniopsis miliacea. Marshes in depression ponds have some different plants; Aristida palustris is characteristic and possibly Hypericum fasciculatum, depending upon fire history. A large number of other wetland species may be present, such as Xyris jupicai, Rhexia cubensis, Rhynchospora filifolia, and others.

Dynamics:  In the absence of fire, portions of stands will become dominated by Salix caroliniana. If fire continues to be absent, these areas may succeed to Acer rubrum.
Environmental Description:  Climate: Subtropical, rainfall is higher in the summer than the winter. Soil/substrate/hydrology: Soils vary from shallow marl to relatively deep peat. Hydroperiod ranges from 5-12 months; some marshes have a hydroperiod of 8-12 months. The effect of fire is influenced by both soils and hydroperiod and affects them both in turn. For example, peat accumulates in the absence of fire, but under certain conditions, fires may burn away accumulated sawgrass peat resulting in a thin, residual, marly soil and relative increase of effective water depth (resulting in vegetation community change).
Geographic Range: This group is endemic to southern Florida.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  FL


Confidence Level: Moderate

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.3 Tropical Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Formation F030 2.C.3
Division 2.C.3.Ef Caribbean-Mesoamerican Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Division D262 2.C.3.Ef
Macrogroup 2.C.3.Ef.1 Swamp Sawgrass - Gulf Coast Spikerush - Maidencane Marsh Macrogroup M710 2.C.3.Ef.1
Group 2.C.3.Ef.1.d Swamp Sawgrass - Gulf Coast Spikerush - Tracy''s Beaksedge Freshwater Marsh Group G129 2.C.3.Ef.1.d
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Everglades: River of Grass (Douglas 1947)
= Glades Marsh (FNAI 2010a)
> Saw Grass Marshes (Craighead 1971)
> Spike Rush Marshes (Craighead 1971)
= The Everglades (Gunderson and Loftus 1993)
= The Everglades (Southern Fen Peatland) (Richardson 2000)
Concept Author(s): C. Nordman, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2011)

Author of Description: C. Nordman

Acknowledgements: We acknowledge the important past work of F. Craighead, M. Douglas, L. Gunderson, W. Loftus, C. Richardson, the staff scientists of Florida Natural Areas Inventory, and many others who have increased our understanding of the Everglades.

Version Date: 05-22-15
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  • Gunderson, L. H., and L. L. Loope. 1982b. A survey and inventory of the plant communities of the Pinecrest area, Big Cypress National Preserve. USDI National Park Service, Southern Florida Research Center. Report No. T-655. Homestead, FL. 43 pp.
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