Print Report
G556 Phalaris arundinacea - Phragmites australis - Typha angustifolia Ruderal Wet Meadow & Marsh Group
Type Concept Sentence: This group is found in the eastern half of cool-temperate North America where heavily disturbed emergent wetlands are dominated by exotic or weedy native species such as Lythrum salicaria, Phalaris arundinacea, Phragmites australis ssp. australis, Fallopia japonica var. japonica, and Typha spp.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Reed Canarygrass - Common Reed - Narrowleaf Cattail Ruderal Wet Meadow & Marsh Group
Colloquial Name: Eastern Ruderal Wet Meadow & Marsh
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: This group includes heavily disturbed marshes and wet meadows in the eastern half of the United States north of a line running from North Carolina to Arkansas, which are usually dominated or at least have a strong component of exotic species. This group is composed of herbaceous-dominated, seasonal to semipermanently flooded wetlands. Sites often have a history of significant disturbance such as heavy pasturing, chemical and soil run-off from nearby fields or developed areas, or alteration in hydrologic regimes. Along with the wide range in flooding regimes, there can be a wide variety of dominant species, some of which can form near monocultures. Some common dominants include Lythrum salicaria, Phalaris arundinacea, Phragmites australis, Fallopia japonica var. japonica, and Typha spp.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This group is composed of herbaceous-dominated, seasonal to semipermanently flooded wetlands. Along with the wide range in flooding regimes, there can be a wide variety of dominant species, some of which can form near monocultures. The key distinction between this group and other herbaceous wetlands in the same region is the dominance by ruderal, and often exotic, species and very often a significant disturbance to the natural ecological dynamics of the site.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The general cut-off for this group is >75% relative cover by invasive species. At this point, the stand is judged to have lost any real natural character.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: These marshes and wet meadows are dominated by herbaceous species but are variable in physiognomy. Sites can have relatively sparse and low (0.5 m) to very dense and tall (2 m) vegetation.
Floristics: This group can have a wide variety of dominant and associate species depending on geography, disturbance history, local seed sources, hydrology, and other factors. Many are aggressive species, and low diversity or nearly monotypic stands are not uncommon. Phalaris arundinacea, Phragmites australis, Typha angustifolia, and Typha x glauca commonly form dense stands. Other species commonly present to abundant include Butomus umbellatus, Hesperis matronalis, Iris pseudacorus, Juncus effusus, Lythrum salicaria, Lysimachia nummularia, Myosotis scorpioides, Fallopia japonica var. japonica, and Solidago rugosa. Some species more typical of natural/ruderal marshes are often found in small to moderate amounts. The most common ones are those that can survive in a setting with other aggressive species and often on disturbed sites. Calamagrostis canadensis, Leersia oryzoides, and Typha latifolia are common. Woody species are absent to uncommon but where present typically include Alnus spp. (in the north), Cornus spp., and Salix spp.
Dynamics: Hydrologic variation, increased flooding or drying, can have a great impact on these sites. The variation may be the result of natural causes or, because many sites are significantly impacted by human activities, anthropogenic in origin (flooding or drawing down impoundments, construction activity, etc.).
Environmental Description: Examples of this group occur in basins, either artificial or natural, along lakeshores or pondshores, or sometimes along slow-moving rivers or streams. They are flooded for at least some portion of the growing season. Flooding can range from short, shallow flooding that dries out during the growing season to semipermanent flooding where surface water is present year-round most years. Sites have often been disturbed, either from natural processes, such as flooding, or anthropogenic actions. Due to their aggressive nature, the dominant species in this group do not require disturbance to remove native species before invading an area. Most sites are eutrophic, either naturally or as a result of increased nutrient input from agricultural or urban sources.
Geographic Range: This group is widespread across the northern and central United States from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Plains and from Virginia and Missouri north into southern Canada. It likely extends into North Carolina, Tennessee, and possibly Georgia in the Appalachian Mountains.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: AL, AR, CT, DC?, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, LB?, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NB, NC, NF?, NH, NJ, NS, NY, OH, ON, PA, PE, QC, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.857091
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNA
Greasons: No Data Available
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- Faber-Langendoen, D., J. Drake, S. Gawler, M. Hall, C. Josse, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, L. Sneddon, K. Schulz, J. Teague, M. Russo, K. Snow, and P. Comer, editors. 2010-2019a. Divisions, Macrogroups and Groups for the Revised U.S. National Vegetation Classification. NatureServe, Arlington, VA. plus appendices. [in preparation]