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A2584 Carex amplifolia - Carex interior - Carex sheldonii Wet Meadow Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This alliance consists of mesic to wet meadows dominated by Carex amplifolia, Carex interior, and/or Carex sheldonii that occur at low to moderate elevations of 744 to 1937 m (2440-6350 feet), where a constant source of water keeps soils moist to saturated throughout the growing season. This alliance occurs in the Coast Ranges, Cascade Range, and Blue Mountains of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and British Columbia.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Bigleaf Sedge - Inland Sedge - Sheldon''s Sedge Wet Meadow Alliance

Colloquial Name: Bigleaf Sedge - Inland Sedge - Sheldon''s Sedge Wet Meadow

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: Stands are dominated by Carex amplifolia, Carex interior, and/or Carex sheldonii. Other species present may include Epilobium spp., Equisetum arvense, Glyceria striata, Juncus ensifolius, Mimulus guttatus, and Scirpus microcarpus. Alnus incana is sometimes present with low cover. Moss may be an important ground cover. This alliance occurs along the Coast Ranges of Oregon, the west and east sides of the Cascades, in the Blue Mountains of northeastern Oregon, southeastern Idaho, Washington and north into British Columbia. Stands occur in V- and trough-shaped valleys at low to moderate elevations of 744 to 1937 m (2440-6350 feet), on floodplains with a constant source of water from adjacent springs and on subirrigated, or spring-fed, saturated toeslopes and terraces (up to 10% or more slope). Water is at or near the surface for most of the growing season, and it often ponds on, or just below, the soil surface. Soils are variable, sometimes having coarse fragments, and may be organic or mineral.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Wet meadows dominated by Carex amplifolia, Carex interior, and/or Carex sheldonii.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: More information is needed to capture the full range of variation of this alliance.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Vegetation is dominated by perennial graminoids.

Floristics: Stands are dominated by Carex amplifolia, Carex interior, and/or Carex sheldonii. Other species present may include Epilobium spp., Equisetum arvense, Glyceria striata, Juncus ensifolius, Mimulus guttatus, and Scirpus microcarpus. Alnus incana is sometimes present with low cover. Moss may be an important ground cover.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  Stands occur in V- and trough-shaped valleys at low to moderate elevations of 744 to 1937 m (2440-6350 feet), on floodplains with a constant source of water from adjacent springs and on subirrigated, or spring-fed, saturated toeslopes and terraces (up to 10% or more slope). Water is at or near the surface for most of the growing season, and it often ponds on, or just below, the soil surface. Soils are variable, sometimes having coarse fragments, and may be organic or mineral.
Geographic Range: This alliance occurs along the Coast Ranges of Oregon, the west and east sides of the Cascades, in the Blue Mountains of northeastern Oregon, southeastern Idaho, Washington and north into British Columbia.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  BC, ID, OR, WA


Confidence Level: Low

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.4 Temperate to Polar Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Formation F013 2.C.4
Division 2.C.4.Nb Western North American Temperate Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Division D031 2.C.4.Nb
Macrogroup 2.C.4.Nb.5 Sitka Alder - Booth''s Willow / Northwest Territory Sedge Montane Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Macrogroup M893 2.C.4.Nb.5
Group 2.C.4.Nb.5.b Sedge species - Reedgrass species Montane Wet Meadow & Marsh Group G521 2.C.4.Nb.5.b
Alliance A2584 Bigleaf Sedge - Inland Sedge - Sheldon''s Sedge Wet Meadow Alliance A2584 2.C.4.Nb.5.b
Association CEGL001857 Inland Sedge - Tinker''s-penny Wet Meadow CEGL001857 2.C.4.Nb.5.b
Association CEGL003427 Bigleaf Sedge Wet Meadow CEGL003427 2.C.4.Nb.5.b
Association CEGL005210 Sheldon''s Sedge Wet Meadow CEGL005210 2.C.4.Nb.5.b
Concept Lineage: equivalent to A.2584 with additions

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
Concept Author(s): M.S. Reid, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: G. Kittel

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 09-26-14
  • 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.