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A3405 Panicum rigidulum - Polygonum hydropiperoides - Polygonum punctatum Southeastern Sandbar Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This herbaceous sandbar vegetation, found primarily along Southeastern Coastal Plain rivers, is variable, but some dominant species include Sesbania vesicaria, Hibiscus moscheutos, Lindernia dubia, Panicum rigidulum, Panicum virgatum, Polygonum hydropiperoides, Polygonum punctatum, and Salix caroliniana.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Redtop Panicgrass - Swamp Smartweed - Dotted Smartweed Southeastern Sandbar Alliance

Colloquial Name: Southeastern Herbaceous Sandbar

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This herbaceous sandbar vegetation occurs primarily along Southeastern Coastal Plain rivers. The vegetation is variable, but some dominant species include Sesbania vesicaria, Hibiscus moscheutos, Lindernia dubia, Panicum rigidulum, Panicum virgatum, Polygonum hydropiperoides, Polygonum punctatum, and Salix caroliniana. It is found in active areas of the floodplain, prone to scour, disturbance and submergence from flooding in addition to very hot and dry conditions when the river level is down during the summer.

Diagnostic Characteristics: This herbaceous sandbar vegetation is variable, but some dominant species include Sesbania vesicaria, Hibiscus moscheutos, Lindernia dubia, Panicum rigidulum, Panicum virgatum, Polygonum hydropiperoides, Polygonum punctatum, and Salix caroliniana.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Floristically this alliance is not very coherent, but the plants which occur in this habitat have the life history characteristics which allow them to survive and thrive in the changing conditions which occur on the sandy river bars.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: The physiognomy is highly variable, but annual and perennial forbs and graminoid herbs are characteristic. The amount of herbaceous cover is variable, from 5% or less to 60% or more. Scattered trees and shrubs may be present. Annual forbs include Sesbania vesicaria and Lindernia dubia.

Floristics: The vegetation is variable, but some dominant species include the graminoids Panicum rigidulum and Panicum virgatum, the annual forbs Sesbania vesicaria (= Glottidium vesicarium) and Lindernia dubia, the perennial forbs Hibiscus moscheutos, Polygonum hydropiperoides, and Polygonum punctatum, and the shrub Salix caroliniana.

Dynamics:  This vegetation is found in active areas of the floodplain, prone to scour, disturbance and submergence during periods of flooding in addition to very hot and dry conditions when the river level is down in the summer.
Environmental Description:  This vegetation occurs on sandbars of Southeastern Coastal Plain rivers. These sites become inundated from the rivers during periods of flooding, and become hot and dry during dry periods (especially during the summer).
Geographic Range: This alliance is found on the Southeastern Coastal Plain, from Virginia to Florida and Mississippi.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AL, FL, GA, LA?, MS, NC, SC, VA


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.Ne Atlantic & Gulf Coastal Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Division D322 2.C.4.Ne
Macrogroup 2.C.4.Ne.2 Beaksedge species - Spikerush species - Panicgrass species Atlantic & Gulf Coastal Plain Wet Prairie & Marsh Macrogroup M067 2.C.4.Ne.2
Group 2.C.4.Ne.2.a Pickerelweed - Maidencane River & Basin Freshwater Marsh & Wet Meadow Group G188 2.C.4.Ne.2.a
Alliance A3405 Redtop Panicgrass - Swamp Smartweed - Dotted Smartweed Southeastern Sandbar Alliance A3405 2.C.4.Ne.2.a
Association CEGL004273 Redtop Panicgrass - Crimson-eyed Rosemallow Wet Meadow CEGL004273 2.C.4.Ne.2.a
Association CEGL004341 Teal Lovegrass - Shade Mudflower - Small-flower Halfchaff Sedge - (Lesser Creeping Rush) Wet Meadow CEGL004341 2.C.4.Ne.2.a
Association CEGL004921 Switchgrass - Redtop Panicgrass - Swamp Smartweed Wet Meadow CEGL004921 2.C.4.Ne.2.a
Association CEGL007052 Coastal Plain Willow Coastal Plain Wet Shrubland CEGL007052 2.C.4.Ne.2.a
Association CEGL008498 Bagpod - Yellowseed False Pimpernel Sandbar Wet Meadow CEGL008498 2.C.4.Ne.2.a
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: >< IIC4b. Coastal Plain River Edge Shrub Wetland (Allard 1990)
Concept Author(s): C. Nordman, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: C. Nordman

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 01-08-14
  • 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.