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A3383 Lyonia ligustrina - Aronia arbutifolia / Drosera rotundifolia Seep Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This is primarily shrubby, non-alluvial, Appalachian montane wetland vegetation, with open herb-dominated inclusions, found in low-elevation areas of the Southern Blue Ridge. Its noteworthy species composition includes both low mountain and coastal plain species.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Maleberry - Red Chokeberry / Roundleaf Sundew Seep Alliance

Colloquial Name: Low Mountain Southern Appalachian Acidic Seep

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This non-alluvial, montane wetland vegetation is primarily shrubby, with open herb-dominated areas. Its noteworthy species composition includes both low mountain and coastal plain species. The vegetation consists of a mosaic or zoned pattern of shrub thickets and herb-dominated inclusions, much of it underlain by Sphagnum mats. Shrubs may include Alnus serrulata, Chamaedaphne calyculata, Gaylussacia dumosa, Hypericum densiflorum, Ilex verticillata, Kalmia carolina, Kalmia latifolia, Lyonia ligustrina var. ligustrina, Menziesia pilosa, Aronia arbutifolia, Rhododendron arborescens, Rhododendron maximum, Rhododendron viscosum, Rosa palustris, and Viburnum nudum. Herbs are diverse and may include Carex collinsii, Carex echinata, Carex folliculata, Carex gynandra, Carex leptalea, Drosera rotundifolia, Dulichium arundinaceum, Eriophorum virginicum, Eryngium integrifolium, Eutrochium fistulosum, Eupatorium perfoliatum, Eupatorium pilosum, Eupatorium rotundifolium var. ovatum, Helianthus angustifolius, Juncus caesariensis, Osmunda cinnamomea, Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis, Packera aurea, Parnassia asarifolia, Rhexia virginica, Rhexia mariana, Rhynchospora rariflora, Sagittaria latifolia, Sarracenia oreophila, Sarracenia purpurea, Sarracenia rubra ssp. jonesii, Scirpus cyperinus, Solidago patula var. patula, Thelypteris palustris var. pubescens, Woodwardia areolata, and Woodwardia virginica. Sphagnum species include Sphagnum affine, Sphagnum bartlettianum, Sphagnum palustre, and Sphagnum recurvum. Examples occur in low-elevation areas of the Southern Blue Ridge, ranging from 500-700 m (1700-2400 feet) in elevation. Examples have a palustrine hydrology, are fed by acidic seepage and are found on shallow slopes near streams. Sites are permanently saturated to intermittently dry. Most examples have been altered considerably by grazing, fire, cultivation, and drainage efforts. Fire may have been a natural disturbance; this is suggested by the large suite of species more typical of fire-maintained communities of the Coastal Plain.

Diagnostic Characteristics: The two associations placed here are found at lower elevations in the Southern Appalachians of North Carolina and adjacent states. They are noteworthy for containing disjunct Coastal Plain plant species (although not necessarily the same species).

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: There has been very much debating and discussion of the nominals for this alliance. Carex collinsii was rejected as "too coastal" - as it is strongly disjunct from the coastal plains to the few sites where this vegetation is known. Ideal nominals might be an extreme combination of mountain and coastal species. Even though the two associations placed here both have unusual combinations of mountain and coastal species, the two of them do not actually have that many species in common.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: The vegetation consists of a mosaic or zoned pattern of shrub thickets and herb-dominated areas, much of it underlain by Sphagnum mats.

Floristics: Shrubs in examples of this alliance may include Alnus serrulata, Chamaedaphne calyculata, Gaylussacia dumosa (= var. bigeloviana), Hypericum densiflorum, Ilex verticillata, Kalmia carolina, Kalmia latifolia, Lyonia ligustrina var. ligustrina, Menziesia pilosa, Aronia arbutifolia, Rhododendron arborescens, Rhododendron maximum, Rhododendron viscosum, Rosa palustris, and Viburnum nudum. Herbs are diverse and may include Carex collinsii, Carex echinata, Carex folliculata, Carex gynandra, Carex leptalea, Drosera rotundifolia, Dulichium arundinaceum, Eriophorum virginicum, Eryngium integrifolium, Eutrochium fistulosum (= Eupatorium fistulosum), Eupatorium perfoliatum, Eupatorium pilosum, Eupatorium rotundifolium var. ovatum, Helianthus angustifolius, Juncus caesariensis, Osmunda cinnamomea, Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis, Packera aurea (= Senecio aureus), Parnassia asarifolia, Rhexia virginica, Rhexia mariana, Rhynchospora rariflora, Sagittaria latifolia (= var. pubescens), Sarracenia oreophila, Sarracenia purpurea, Sarracenia rubra ssp. jonesii, Scirpus cyperinus, Solidago patula var. patula, Thelypteris palustris var. pubescens, Woodwardia areolata, and Woodwardia virginica. Sphagnum species include Sphagnum affine (= Sphagnum imbricatum), Sphagnum bartlettianum, Sphagnum palustre, and Sphagnum recurvum.

Dynamics:  Most examples have been altered considerably by grazing, fire, cultivation, and drainage efforts. Fire may have been a natural disturbance; this is suggested by the large suite of species more typical of fire-maintained communities of the Coastal Plain.
Environmental Description:  Stands occur in low-elevation areas of the Southern Blue Ridge, ranging from 500-700 m (1700-2400 feet) in elevation. Examples have a palustrine hydrology, are fed by acidic seepage and are found on shallow slopes near streams. Sites are permanently saturated to intermittently dry.
Geographic Range: The vegetation assigned to this alliance is found in the Southern Appalachian low-elevation mountains from Alabama and Georgia north to Tennessee and North Carolina.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AL, GA, NC, TN


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.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.1 Shrubby-cinquefoil - Canadian Burnet / Inland Sedge Seep Macrogroup M061 2.C.4.Nd.1
Group 2.C.4.Nd.1.a Catawba Rosebay / Tawny Cottongrass / Peatmoss species Shrub & Herb Seep Group G184 2.C.4.Nd.1.a
Alliance A3383 Maleberry - Red Chokeberry / Roundleaf Sundew Seep Alliance A3383 2.C.4.Nd.1.a
Association CEGL003914 Hazel Alder - Smooth Azalea / Green Pitcherplant - Few-flower Beaksedge Seepage Shrubland CEGL003914 2.C.4.Nd.1.a
Association CEGL003918 Hazel Alder - Possumhaw - Leatherleaf / Netted Chainfern - Jones'' Pitcherplant Seepage Shrubland CEGL003918 2.C.4.Nd.1.a
Concept Lineage: Both associations placed here are from old alliance A.1880 (2/9).

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: >< IIE1b. Southern Appalachian Bog Complex (Allard 1990)
Concept Author(s): M. Pyne, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: M. Pyne

Acknowledgements: We have incorporated significant descriptive information previously compiled by A.S. Weakley and G.P. Fleming.

Version Date: 09-26-14
  • Allard, D. J. 1990. Southeastern United States ecological community classification. Interim report, Version 1.2. The Nature Conservancy, Southeast Regional Office, Chapel Hill, NC. 96 pp.
  • Chafin, L. 2011. Georgia''s natural communities and associated rare plant and animal species: Thumbnail accounts. Based on "Guide to the Natural Communities of Georgia," by Edwards et al. 2013. University of Georgia Press. Georgia Nongame Conservation Section, Wildlife Resources Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources. 125 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.
  • Schafale, M. P., and A. S. Weakley. 1990. Classification of the natural communities of North Carolina. Third approximation. North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh. 325 pp.
  • Weakley, A. S., and M. P. Schafale. 1994. Non-alluvial wetlands of the Southern Blue Ridge: Diversity in a threatened ecosystem. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution 77:359-383.