Print Report

A2514 Ledum glandulosum - Ledum groenlandicum Shrub Bog & Acidic Fen Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This brushy alliance consists of fens with shrub cover dominated by Kalmia microphylla, Kalmia polifolia, Ledum glandulosum, Lonicera caerulea var. cauriana, Spiraea douglasii, and/or Vaccinium uliginosum.Carex obnupta and Carex aquatilis var. dives have the highest constancy in the herb layer, with Agrostis exarata, Cornus canadensis, and Blechnum spicant present in lesser amounts. Sphagnum is conspicuous in the moss layer. The herb layer varies with Carex echinata ssp. phyllomanica, Carex leptalea, Drosera rotundifolia, Eriophorum chamissonis, Lysichiton americanus, Trientalis europaea ssp. arctica, and Vaccinium oxycoccos. This alliance is found along coastal British Columbia south through Washington and Oregon and into northern California. Soil and water pH is limited to only acidic fens with >5.5 pH.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Western Labrador-tea - Bog Labrador-tea Shrub Bog & Acidic Fen Alliance

Colloquial Name: Labrador-tea Shrub Bog & Acidic Fen

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This brushy alliance is transitional between open mires and forested peatlands. The shrub layer is dominated by Kalmia microphylla, Kalmia polifolia, Ledum glandulosum, Lonicera caerulea var. cauriana, Spiraea douglasii, and/or Vaccinium uliginosum. The herbaceous layer consists of Carex obnupta and Carex aquatilis var. dives with the highest constancy in the herb layer, and Agrostis exarata, Cornus canadensis, and Blechnum spicant present in lesser amounts. Sphagnum is conspicuous in the moss layer. The herb layer may also include Carex echinata ssp. phyllomanica, Carex leptalea, Drosera rotundifolia, Eriophorum chamissonis, Lysichiton americanus, Trientalis europaea ssp. arctica, and Vaccinium oxycoccos. This alliance is found along coastal British Columbia south through Washington and Oregon and into northern California.

Diagnostic Characteristics: At least 25% cover of Ledum glandulosum, with abundant Sphagnum spp. cover.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: No Data Available

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Open to closed dwarf-shrub layer (0.6-1.3 m tall) dominated by evergreen broad-leaved shrubs.

Floristics: The open to closed shrub layer (0.6-1.3 m tall) is dominated by evergreen broad-leaved Kalmia microphylla (= Kalmia occidentalis), Ledum groenlandicum, and/or Ledum glandulosum. Other shrubs that may be present include Gaultheria shallon, Kalmia polifolia, Lonicera caerulea var. cauriana (= Lonicera cauriana), Spiraea douglasii, and/or Vaccinium uliginosum. The herb layer can have Agrostis exarata, Blechnum spicant, Carex aquatilis var. dives, Carex obnupta, Cornus canadensis, Pteridium aquilinum, and Xerophyllum tenax. Sphagnum is usually quite conspicuous in the moss layer. Other herbs often present include Carex echinata ssp. phyllomanica, Carex leptalea, Drosera rotundifolia, Eriophorum chamissonis, Lysichiton americanus, Trientalis europaea ssp. arctica, and Vaccinium oxycoccos.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  These wetlands are found on organic soil.
Geographic Range: This alliance is found along coastal British Columbia south through Washington and Oregon and into northern California.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  BC, CA, OR, WA


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.2 Temperate to Polar Bog & Fen Formation F016 2.C.2
Division 2.C.2.Na North American Bog & Fen Division D029 2.C.2.Na
Macrogroup 2.C.2.Na.3 Beach Pine / Bog Labrador-tea / Cusick''s Sedge North Pacific Bog & Fen Macrogroup M063 2.C.2.Na.3
Group 2.C.2.Na.3.b North Pacific Acidic Open Bog & Fen Group G284 2.C.2.Na.3.b
Alliance A2514 Western Labrador-tea - Bog Labrador-tea Shrub Bog & Acidic Fen Alliance A2514 2.C.2.Na.3.b
Association CEGL003335 Bog Labrador-tea - Sweetgale / Peatmoss species Shrub Bog CEGL003335 2.C.2.Na.3.b
Association CEGL003359 Alpine Laurel - Bog Labrador-tea / Common Beargrass Shrub Bog CEGL003359 2.C.2.Na.3.b
Association CEGL003414 Bog Labrador-tea - Alpine Laurel / Peatmoss species Shrub Bog CEGL003414 2.C.2.Na.3.b
Association CEGL003434 Western Labrador-tea / Slough Sedge / Peatmoss species Fen CEGL003434 2.C.2.Na.3.b
Association CEGL003435 Western Labrador-tea / California Pitcherplant / Peatmoss species Fen CEGL003435 2.C.2.Na.3.b
Association CEGL003436 Western Labrador-tea / Great Burnet / Peatmoss species Fen CEGL003436 2.C.2.Na.3.b
Association CEGL003437 Western Labrador-tea / Salal / Slough Sedge Fen CEGL003437 2.C.2.Na.3.b
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Rhododendron neoglandulosum (Western Labrador-tea thickets) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [63.425.00]
Concept Author(s): G. Kittel, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: G. Kittel

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 09-26-14
  • Cooper, D., and E. C. Wolf. 2006a. Fens of the Sierra Nevada, California. Unpublished report. Department of Forest, Rangeland and Watershed stewardship, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
  • 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.
  • Sawyer, J. O., T. Keeler-Wolf, and J. Evens. 2009. A manual of California vegetation. Second edition. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento CA. 1300 pp.