Print Report
A2005 Polygonum cuspidatum Ruderal Wet Meadow Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance covers significant (near-monocultural) stands of the exotic forb Polygonum cuspidatum found in temporarily flooded habitats in the eastern United States.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Japanese Knotweed Ruderal Wet Meadow Alliance
Colloquial Name: Ruderal Japanese Knotweed Wet Meadow
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance covers significant (near-monocultural) stands of the exotic forb Polygonum cuspidatum found in temporarily flooded habitats in the eastern United States. Stands of this vegetation may be dense and shrubby, or more open. Other disturbance-oriented forbs may be present, such as Boehmeria cylindrica, Impatiens spp., Leersia virginica, Phalaris arundinacea, Polygonum hydropiper, Polygonum hydropiperoides, and Polygonum persicaria, along with seedlings of some woody plants (e.g., Platanus occidentalis, Salix nigra, and Acer saccharinum). The invasive exotic herbs Alliaria petiolata and Microstegium vimineum may be present. The patches of Polygonum grow over and shade out other plant species, so diversity is not high. Stands are primarily found along disturbed riverbanks and bars that may flood but are not inundated for the majority of the growing season. These disturbed habitats flood very frequently and have lots of light and rocky or sandy soil.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Stands in this alliance are characterized by strong dominance (>70%) by Polygonum cuspidatum.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Polygonum cuspidatum has also been treated as Reynoutria japonica.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Stands of this vegetation may be dense and shrubby or more open. The patches of Polygonum shade out other plant species.
Floristics: These are primarily monospecific stands of Polygonum cuspidatum with few other plant species.
Dynamics: This alliance occurs on sites that flood frequently.
Environmental Description: Stands of this alliance are found in temporarily flooded habitats such as scour bars. These disturbed areas flood very frequently and have lots of light and rocky or sandy soil. In North Carolina, it is found on scour bars and low rocky banks of the Nolichucky and French Broad rivers (B. Brown pers. comm. 2001). In Kentucky, Polygonum cuspidatum is found primarily along disturbed riverbanks and bars mostly in the Cumberland Plateau and Mountains where it can be in pure, dense stands (M. Evans pers. comm. 2001).
Geographic Range: This alliance is found in the eastern United States from New York south to Georgia and east to Ohio and Alabama.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AL, GA, KY, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, VA?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899188
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNA
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.4 Temperate to Polar Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Formation | F013 | 2.C.4 |
| Division | 2.C.4.Nd Eastern North American Temperate Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Division | D323 | 2.C.4.Nd |
| Macrogroup | 2.C.4.Nd.90 Common Rush - Purple Loosestrife - Reed Canarygrass Eastern North American Ruderal Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Macrogroup | M303 | 2.C.4.Nd.90 |
| Group | 2.C.4.Nd.90.b Reed Canarygrass - Common Reed - Narrowleaf Cattail Ruderal Wet Meadow & Marsh Group | G556 | 2.C.4.Nd.90.b |
| Alliance | A2005 Japanese Knotweed Ruderal Wet Meadow Alliance | A2005 | 2.C.4.Nd.90.b |
| Association | CEGL008472 Japanese Knotweed Ruderal Wet Meadow | CEGL008472 | 2.C.4.Nd.90.b |
Concept Lineage: This alliance equals old A.2005.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- Brown, B. Personal communication. University of North Carolina.
- Evans, Marc. Personal communication. Ecologist. Kentucky Natural Heritage Program, Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission, Frankfort.
- 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.