Print Report
G595 Eichhornia crassipes - Alternanthera philoxeroides - Trapa natans Ruderal Freshwater Aquatic Vegetation Group
Type Concept Sentence: This ruderal aquatic group occurs in temperate and tropical North America where wetlands are strongly dominated by exotic species, typically Alternanthera philoxeroides, Eichhornia crassipes, Ludwigia peploides, Pistia stratiotes, and Salvinia molesta in warm-temperate regions and Myriophyllum spicatum, Hydrocharis morsus-ranae, and Trapa natans in cool-temperate regions.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Common Water-hyacinth - Alligator-weed - Water Chestnut Ruderal Freshwater Aquatic Vegetation Group
Colloquial Name: Eastern North American Ruderal Aquatic Vegetation
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: This ruderal aquatic vegetation occurs in freshwater wetlands of lakes, rivers, and ponds, in areas which are permanently or semipermanently flooded. The dominant growth forms are floating, rooting and submersed aquatic vegetation. The most common species include the exotics Alternanthera philoxeroides, Eichhornia crassipes, Ludwigia peploides, Pistia stratiotes, and Salvinia molesta in warm-temperate regions. In cool-temperate regions, Myriophyllum spicatum, Hydrocharis morsus-ranae, and Trapa natans are locally common. These exotic species can spread vigorously and form extensive mats that cover the surface or submersed areas of the water.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Floating aquatic vegetation dominated by ruderal species such as Alternanthera philoxeroides, Eichhornia crassipes, Hydrilla verticillata, Ludwigia peploides, Myriophyllum spicatum, and Pistia stratiotes. Other species that could be included are Salvinia molesta or Trapa natans (in cool-temperate areas). Native rooted floating-leaved and submergent species have little cover, generally less than 20-25%.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Trapa natans occurs in cool-temperate areas (i.e., New England), rather than the warm-temperate and tropical areas where some of the other species occur. This eastern North American group could be split into cool-temperate ruderal aquatic vegetation separate from warm-temperate and tropical. Or perhaps there is a North American-wide warm-temperate versus cool-temperate group. Myriophyllum spicatum occurs in over 40 U.S. states and several provinces of Canada, which may indicate that one North American group is warranted, rather than eastern and western ones or warm-temperate and cool-temperate groups. Perhaps these divisions are more appropriate at the NVC Alliance level.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Floating-leaved or submersed herbaceous aquatic plants dominate. They can have sparse to dense cover.
Floristics: In the warm-temperate region, Alternanthera philoxeroides, Eichhornia crassipes, Ludwigia peploides, and Pistia stratiotes are the typical aquatic exotic species. Other species include Egeria densa, Hydrilla verticillata, Myriophyllum aquaticum, Myriophyllum spicatum, Najas minor, Nymphoides peltata, Nymphoides cristata, Potamogeton crispus, Salvinia minima, Salvinia natans, and Salvinia molesta. In the cool-temperate region, Myriophyllum spicatum, Hydrocharis morsus-ranae, and Trapa natans are locally common exotic invasive plants.
Dynamics: In the warm-temperate region, cold temperatures can cause damage to most of these plants, and probably limits their ranges to the north. After flooding events, these plants can establish in new areas where the floodwater has carried them. Many of these plants can also be spread to new areas on the props of boats. Various control methods have been used to reduce nuisance infestations (Gettys et al. 2009).
Environmental Description: Climate: This aquatic vegetation occurs in both warm-temperate and tropical areas, which have a humid climate, and in cool-temperate regions. Soil/substrate/hydrology: This aquatic vegetation occurs in freshwater wetlands that are permanently or semipermanently flooded. Areas may be impounded, natural lakes, or low-gradient flowing streams and rivers. Often patches of this vegetation will occur in the more slowly flowing sections of rivers and streams.
Geographic Range: This group is found in eastern Canada, the eastern, midwestern and southeastern United States, and eastern Mexico.
Nations: CA,MX,US
States/Provinces: AL, AR, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, ON, PA, QC, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.859820
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNA
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 5 Aquatic Vegetation Class | C05 | 5 |
| Subclass | 5.B Freshwater Aquatic Vegetation Subclass | S13 | 5.B |
| Formation | 5.B.2 Temperate to Polar Freshwater Aquatic Vegetation Formation | F057 | 5.B.2 |
| Division | 5.B.2.Na North American Freshwater Aquatic Vegetation Division | D049 | 5.B.2.Na |
| Macrogroup | 5.B.2.Na.90 Common Water-hyacinth - Brazilian Waterweed - Alligator-weed Ruderal Aquatic Vegetation Macrogroup | M401 | 5.B.2.Na.90 |
| Group | 5.B.2.Na.90.a Common Water-hyacinth - Alligator-weed - Water Chestnut Ruderal Freshwater Aquatic Vegetation Group | G595 | 5.B.2.Na.90.a |
| Alliance | A1745 Water-thyme - Eurasian Water-milfoil Ruderal Aquatic Vegetation Alliance | A1745 | 5.B.2.Na.90.a |
| Alliance | A4219 Common Water-hyacinth - Alligator-weed Ruderal Aquatic Vegetation Alliance | A4219 | 5.B.2.Na.90.a |
| Alliance | A4222 Water Chestnut - Common Frogbit Ruderal Aquatic Vegetation Alliance | A4222 | 5.B.2.Na.90.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Aquatic Bed, Permanently Flooded and Semipermanently Flooded (Cowardin et al. 1979)
> Floating mats of water hyacinth (Kushlan 1990)
< Freshwater marsh (Kushlan 1990)
> Floating mats of water hyacinth (Kushlan 1990)
< Freshwater marsh (Kushlan 1990)
- Cowardin, L. M., V. Carter, F. C. Golet, and E. T. LaRoe. 1979. Classification of wetlands and deepwater habitats of the United States. FWS/OBS-79/31. USDI Fish & Wildlife Service, Office of Biological Services, Washington, DC. 103 pp.
- 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]
- Gettys, L. A., W. T. Haller, and M. Bellaud, editors. 2009. Biology and control of aquatic plants: A best management practices handbook. Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Foundation, Marietta GA. 210 pp. [http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/misc/pdfs/AERF_handbook.pdf]
- Kushlan, J. A. 1990. Freshwater marshes. Pages 324-363 in: R. L. Myers and J. J. Ewel, editors. Ecosystems of Florida. University of Central Florida Press, Orlando.
- Lui, K., M. Butler, M. Allen, J. da Silva, and B. Brownson. 2008. Field guide to aquatic invasive species: Identification, collection and reporting of aquatic invasive species in Ontario waters. Queen''s Printer for Ontario. MNR # 52089. [http://www.ontariostewardship.org/councils/duff-simcoe/files/invading_species_field_guide.pdf]
- Morris, T. L. 1974. Water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms: Its ability to invade aquatic ecosystems of Paynes Prairie Preserve. M.S. thesis, University of Florida, Gainesville.