Print Report

A3438 Ledum glandulosum Acidic Shrub Fen Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This alliance consists of acidic (<5.5 pH) fens dominated by shrub cover. Ledum glandulosum is an indicator for the shrubby nature of these fens. Other shrub species may be present or dominant. It occurs in the mountains of California and Nevada.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Western Labrador-tea Acidic Shrub Fen Alliance

Colloquial Name: Western Labrador-tea Acidic Shrub Fen

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This alliance consists of acidic (<5.5 pH) fens dominated by shrub cover. Ledum glandulosum is an indicator for the shrubby nature of these fens. Other shrub species may be present or dominant. This is a provisional alliance until more detailed information can be provided about the species composition and structure. It occurs in the mountains of California and Nevada.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Acidic fens (5.5 pH) dominated by shrubs, often with an herbaceous layer.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Shrub cover is at least 25%. This alliance needs more detailed information about the species composition and structure.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: No Data Available

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  No Data Available
Geographic Range: This alliance is found in the mountains of California and Nevada.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  CA, NV


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.2 Temperate to Polar Bog & Fen Formation F016 2.C.2
Division 2.C.2.Na North American Bog & Fen Division D029 2.C.2.Na
Macrogroup 2.C.2.Na.1 Leatherleaf - Small Cranberry - Few-seed Sedge Bog & Acidic Fen Macrogroup M876 2.C.2.Na.1
Group 2.C.2.Na.1.c Water Sedge - Woolly-fruit Sedge - Peatmoss species Rocky Mountain Acidic Fen Group G515 2.C.2.Na.1.c
Alliance A3438 Western Labrador-tea Acidic Shrub Fen Alliance A3438 2.C.2.Na.1.c
Association CEGL002739 Western Labrador-tea Fen CEGL002739 2.C.2.Na.1.c
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Rhododendron neoglandulosum (Western Labrador-tea thickets) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [63.425.00]
< Rhododendron columbianum Shrubland Alliance (CNPS 2017) [63.425.00]
< Fen habitat (Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf 1995)
? Ledum Swamp (#5251A) (Holland 1986b)
Concept Author(s): G. Kittel, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: G. Kittel

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 09-26-14
  • CNPS [California Native Plant Society]. 2015-2017. A manual of California vegetation [online]. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA. [http://vegetation.cnps.org/].
  • 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.
  • Holland, R. F. 1986b. Preliminary descriptions of the terrestrial natural communities of California. Unpublished report prepared for the California Department of Fish and Game, Nongame-Heritage Program and Natural Diversity Database, Sacramento. 156 pp.
  • Sawyer, J. O., T. Keeler-Wolf, and J. Evens. 2009. A manual of California vegetation. Second edition. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento CA. 1300 pp.
  • Sawyer, J. O., and T. Keeler-Wolf. 1995. A manual of California vegetation. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento. 471 pp.