Print Report
A1727 Pistia stratiotes Ruderal Aquatic Bed Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance contains aquatic vegetation dominated by Pistia stratiotes and is found in tropical Florida and the Caribbean.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Water-lettuce Ruderal Aquatic Bed Alliance
Colloquial Name: Ruderal Water-lettuce Aquatic Bed
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance contains aquatic vegetation dominated by Pistia stratiotes. Other floating plants are often admixed, including Salvinia spp. The hydrology of these sites is usually permanently or semipermanently flooded, although periodic drying can occur. Stands of this alliance consist of floating or rooted (by stranding) aquatic vegetation occurring in slow-moving or stagnant tropical waters, dominated by Pistia stratiotes.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This alliance is a semi-natural one with a strong dominance by Pistia stratiotes. It, and associated ruderal or exotic species, should have >80% relative cover compared to native species.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This alliance has only one poorly documented association in it. Reported from South Carolina by Aulbach-Smith (pers. comm. 2001), but the species does not reliably over-winter in that state.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This alliance is characterized by mat-forming herbaceous aquatic species. Total vegetation cover is often high.
Floristics: Stands of this type are dominated (and often nearly monospecifically so) by Pistia stratiotes, sometimes also with Salvinia auriculata, Spirodela polyrrhiza, Azolla caroliniana, and other aquatics.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Stands of this alliance consist of floating or rooted (by stranding) aquatic vegetation occurring in slow-moving or stagnant tropical waters. The hydrology of these sites is usually permanently or semipermanently flooded, although periodic drying can occur.
Geographic Range: This alliance is found in Florida, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, and Lesser Antilles.
Nations: CU,JM,PR,US,XE
States/Provinces: FL
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899166
Confidence Level: Low
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.1 Tropical Freshwater Aquatic Vegetation Formation | F056 | 5.B.1 |
| Division | 5.B.1.Ed Neotropical Freshwater Aquatic Vegetation Division | D097 | 5.B.1.Ed |
| Macrogroup | 5.B.1.Ed.2 Neotropical Ruderal Freshwater Aquatic Vegetation Macrogroup | M892 | 5.B.1.Ed.2 |
| Group | 5.B.1.Ed.2.a Neotropical Ruderal Freshwater Aquatic Vegetation Group | G816 | 5.B.1.Ed.2.a |
| Alliance | A1727 Water-lettuce Ruderal Aquatic Bed Alliance | A1727 | 5.B.1.Ed.2.a |
| Association | CEGL004902 Water-lettuce Invasive Aquatic Vegetation | CEGL004902 | 5.B.1.Ed.2.a |
Concept Lineage: This alliance equals old A.1727.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: >< Eichhornion azureae (Borhidi et al. 1983)
>< Eichhornion azureae Alliance (Borhidi 1991)
>< Nymphaea-Nelumbo-Pistia Alliance (Lindsay and Horwith 1997)
? Pistietum stratiotidis Association (Borhidi 1991)
>< Eichhornion azureae Alliance (Borhidi 1991)
>< Nymphaea-Nelumbo-Pistia Alliance (Lindsay and Horwith 1997)
? Pistietum stratiotidis Association (Borhidi 1991)
- Aulbach-Smith, C. Personal communication. Botanical Services of SC.
- Borhidi, A. 1991. Phytogeography and vegetation ecology of Cuba. Akademiai Kiado. Budapest, Hungary. 858 pp. plus color plates and map by A. Borhidi and O. Muniz (1970) inside of back cover.
- Borhidi, A., O. Muñiz, and E. del Risco. 1983. Plant communities of Cuba I. Fresh- and salt water, swamp, and coastal vegetation. Acta Bot. Acad. Sci. Hung. 29:337-376.
- Dansereau, P. 1966. Studies on the vegetation of Puerto Rico. Part I. Description and integration of the plant-communities. University of Puerto Rico, Institute of Caribbean Sciences. Special Publication No. 1. Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. 287 pp.
- Faber-Langendoen, D., J. Drake, M. Hall, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, M. Russo, K. Schulz, L. Sneddon, K. Snow, and J. Teague. 2013-2019b. Screening alliances for induction into the U.S. National Vegetation Classification: Part 1 - Alliance concept review. NatureServe, Arlington, VA.
- Laessle, A. M. 1942. Plant communities of the Welaka area. University of Florida Biological Sciences Series No. 4. 143 pp.
- Lindsay, K., and B. Horwith. 1997. A vegetation classification of Antigua-Barbuda-Redonda: Implications for conservation. Eastern Caribbean Biodiversity Programme, Biodiversity Publication 2. 61 pp.