Print Report
A3393 Aristida palustris - Panicum virgatum - Eriocaulon spp. Pondshore Marsh Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance occupies shallow to deep, seasonally flooded, usually treeless depression marshes in coastal plain ponds and lakes of the West Gulf Coastal Plain. Characteristic graminoid herb species are Aristida palustris, Eriocaulon spp., Panicum hemitomon, Panicum rigidulum, Panicum virgatum, and Rhynchospora spp.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Longleaf Three-awn - Switchgrass - Pipewort species Pondshore Marsh Alliance
Colloquial Name: Piney Woods Depression Marsh
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: Characteristic species of this depression marsh alliance are Aristida palustris, Eriocaulon spp., Panicum hemitomon, Panicum rigidulum, Panicum virgatum, and Rhynchospora spp. Scattered trees, especially Nyssa biflora, can occur. Wetland shrubs are sometimes common or locally dominant in shallower ponds. This alliance occupies relatively shallow to deep, seasonally flooded portions of coastal plain ponds and lakes in the West Gulf Coastal Plain, including flatwoods ponds and limesink ponds. In ponds where the surface water persists through the growing season in most years, the shrub layer is not well-developed.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Dominated or codominated by the graminoid herbs Aristida palustris, Panicum virgatum, and Eriocaulon spp. This depression marsh vegetation occurs in flatwoods ponds in Louisiana and Texas. Shrubs and scattered trees, especially Nyssa biflora, can occur.
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: No Data Available
Floristics: The most abundant herbaceous species are generally graminoid herbs, including Aristida palustris, Carex glaucescens, Eleocharis equisetoides, Eriocaulon compressum, Eriocaulon decangulare var. decangulare, Panicum virgatum, and Rhynchospora cephalantha. Other characteristic herbs include Amsonia tabernaemontana var. tabernaemontana (= Amsonia glaberrima), Andropogon capillipes, Arnoglossum ovatum, Bacopa caroliniana, Carex verrucosa, Centella erecta, Coelorachis rugosa, Dichanthelium scabriusculum, Eleocharis quadrangulata, Eupatorium sp., Fuirena bushii, Gratiola brevifolia, Hibiscus lasiocarpos (= Hibiscus moscheutos ssp. lasiocarpos), Hydrolea ovata, Juncus effusus, Juncus polycephalos, Leersia hexandra, Ludwigia linearis, Ludwigia pilosa, Ludwigia sphaerocarpa, Lycopus rubellus, Oxypolis filiformis, Panicum hemitomon, Proserpinaca palustris, Proserpinaca pectinata, Rhexia virginica, Rhynchospora corniculata, Rhynchospora elliottii, Rhynchospora mixta, Rudbeckia texana (= Rudbeckia nitida var. texana), Sabatia campanulata, Sagittaria graminea, Scleria baldwinii, Scleria Georgiana, Spiranthes laciniata, Tridens strictus, Tripsacum dactyloides, Woodwardia virginica, Xyris fimbriata, and Xyris laxifolia var. iridifolia. Scattered trees, especially Nyssa biflora, can occur, though ponds are usually treeless. Other tree species may occur as scattered individuals, including Acer rubrum, Diospyros virginiana, Magnolia virginiana, Persea palustris, and Pinus taeda. Shrubs may include Cephalanthus occidentalis, Crataegus opaca, Hypericum galioides, Hypericum brachyphyllum, and Styrax americanus (= var. pulverulentus).
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This alliance occurs in relatively shallow to deep, seasonally flooded portions of coastal plain ponds and lakes, including flatwoods ponds and limesink ponds in the West Gulf Coastal Plain.
Geographic Range: This alliance occurs in the Piney Woods ecoregion of the West Gulf Coastal Plain of Louisiana and Texas.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AR, LA, TX
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899517
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
Concept Lineage: Includes only 2 associations from the old alliance A.1364, and 2 associations from A.648. These associations are limited to depressions in flatwoods of the West Gulf Coastal Plain.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: >< Sweetbay - Swamp Tupelo - Redbay: 104 (Eyre 1980)
>< Water Tupelo - Swamp Tupelo: 103 (Eyre 1980)
>< Water Tupelo - Swamp Tupelo: 103 (Eyre 1980)
- Eyre, F. H., editor. 1980. Forest cover types of the United States and Canada. Society of American Foresters, Washington, DC. 148 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.
- LNHP [Louisiana Natural Heritage Program]. 2009. Natural communities of Louisiana. Louisiana Natural Heritage Program, Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, Baton Rouge. 46 pp. [http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/page_wildlife/6776-Rare%20Natural%20Communities/LA_NAT_COM.pdf]
- Smith, L. M. 1996b. The rare and sensitive natural wetland plant communities of interior Louisiana. Unpublished document. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Louisiana Natural Heritage Program, Baton Rouge. 38 pp.