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A3375 Osmunda cinnamomea - Pluchea camphorata - Dichanthelium spp. Seep Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: These seepage wetlands are herbaceous- or shrub-dominated with scattered trees. They tend to have Osmunda cinnamomea, Pluchea camphorata, and Dichanthelium acuminatum var. lindheimeri, or Dichanthelium scoparium, but not Sarracenia spp., and occur far inland in eastern Texas, southeastern Oklahoma and in Arkansas.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Cinnamon Fern - Camphor Pluchea - Rosette Grass species Seep Alliance
Colloquial Name: Cinnamon Fern - Mixed Seep
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: These are seepage wetlands which do not have Sarracenia spp. and occur far inland in eastern Texas, southeastern Oklahoma and in Arkansas. These wetlands can be herbaceous- or shrub-dominated with scattered trees. The seeps in southeastern Oklahoma are herbaceous and tend to have Dichanthelium acuminatum var. lindheimeri, Dichanthelium scoparium, Juncus effusus, Juncus interior, Panicum anceps, or Pluchea camphorata. In eastern Texas, a scattered emergent canopy of Nyssa sylvatica and Liquidambar styraciflua may be present, while the shrub layer is dense and dominated by Viburnum nudum var. nudum. Other characteristic components of the shrub stratum include Acer rubrum, Mikania scandens, Morella cerifera, Nyssa sylvatica, Smilax bona-nox, and Smilax laurifolia. Characteristic herbs include Boehmeria cylindrica, Dichanthelium acuminatum var. lindheimeri, Osmunda cinnamomea, Rhynchospora miliacea, and Woodwardia areolata. These acidic, saturated wetlands occur on linear seepages on lower slopes along the sides of small drainages in the sandhills where water seeps from a perched water table. These are mostly in areas where coarse sands overlay clay impermeable layers.
Diagnostic Characteristics: These are seepage wetlands which do not have Sarracenia spp. and occur far inland in eastern Texas, southeastern Oklahoma and in Arkansas. They may be shrub dominated or herbaceous and tend to have Osmunda cinnamomea, Pluchea camphorata, and Dichanthelium acuminatum var. lindheimeri or Dichanthelium scoparium.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: These are seepage wetlands which do not have Sarracenia spp. and occur far inland in eastern Texas, southeastern Oklahoma and in Arkansas. They are distinct from those close to the Gulf Coast which are dominated by Rhynchospora spp. and typically have Sarracenia spp.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: These seepage wetlands can be herbaceous or shrub dominated with scattered trees.
Floristics: The herbaceous seeps in southeastern Oklahoma are dominated by Dichanthelium scoparium, and associated species include Juncus effusus, Juncus interior, and Panicum anceps (Hoagland 2000). In Oklahoma, Eriocaulon koernickianum, a species of concern, is associated with this habitat. In eastern Texas, a scattered emergent canopy of Nyssa sylvatica and Liquidambar styraciflua may be present, while the shrub layer is dense and is dominated by Viburnum nudum var. nudum. Other characteristic components of the shrub stratum include Acer rubrum, Mikania scandens, Morella cerifera (= Myrica cerifera var. cerifera), Nyssa sylvatica, Smilax bona-nox, and Smilax laurifolia. Characteristic herbs include Boehmeria cylindrica, Carex leptalea, Chasmanthium laxum, Dichanthelium acuminatum var. lindheimeri (= Dichanthelium lindheimeri), Eleocharis acicularis, Eleocharis tortilis, Hydrocotyle verticillata, Hypericum mutilum, Juncus effusus, Ludwigia palustris, Lycopus rubellus, Osmunda cinnamomea, Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis, Polygonum hydropiperoides, Rhynchospora miliacea, Triadenum walteri, and Woodwardia areolata (Nesom et al. 1997).
Dynamics: These seepage wetlands remain saturated from water which seeps from a perched water table. They occur in areas outside the range of Pinus palustris where the frequency of fire in the landscape may have been lower than in areas which had Pinus palustris, due to the differences in surface fuels in the nearby upland habitats. Occurrences of this type may expand or contract in size under different fire regimes.
Environmental Description: These wetlands occur on linear seepages on lower slopes along the sides of small drainages in the sandhills where water seeps from a perched water table. These are mostly in areas where coarse sands overlay clay impermeable layers. These are acidic, saturated wetlands. These habitats may be near streamheads or peaty depressions (Hoagland 2000). Peat may develop from decayed sedges and rushes as well as from small deposits of Sphagnum mosses (Hoagland 2000).
Geographic Range: Occurs in the Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain of southwestern Arkansas, southeastern Oklahoma, and eastern Texas. Also occurs in the Ozarks of Arkansas.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AR, OK, TX
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899499
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Dichanthelium scoparium herbaceous alliance (Hoagland 2000)
>< Sweetbay - Swamp Tupelo / Osmunda Loamy Wet Forested Seeps (Turner et al. 1999)
> possum haw bog (Nesom et al. 1997)
>< Sweetbay - Swamp Tupelo / Osmunda Loamy Wet Forested Seeps (Turner et al. 1999)
> possum haw bog (Nesom et al. 1997)
- 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.
- Hoagland, B. 2000. The vegetation of Oklahoma: A classification for landscape mapping and conservation planning. The Southwestern Naturalist 45(4):385-420.
- Nesom, G. L., B. R. MacRoberts, and M. H. MacRoberts. 1997. A new plant community type in southeast Texas related to baygalls. Phytologia 83:371-383.
- Turner, R. L., J. E. Van Kley, L. S. Smith, and R. E. Evans. 1999. Ecological classification system for the national forests and adjacent areas of the West Gulf Coastal Plain. The Nature Conservancy, Nacogdoches, TX. 95 pp. plus appendices.