Print Report
A3441 Chamaedaphne calyculata / Carex striata Dwarf-shrub Pocosin Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This vegetation is only found in eastern North Carolina primarily in pocosin peatland wetlands which are dominated by Chamaedaphne calyculata and Carex striata.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Leatherleaf / Walter''s Sedge Dwarf-shrub Pocosin Alliance
Colloquial Name: Leatherleaf / Sedge Dwarf-shrub Pocosin
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This vegetation is only found in eastern North Carolina in pocosin peatland wetlands. It is dominated by Chamaedaphne calyculata and Carex striata. Other characteristic species include Calamovilfa brevipilis, Carex striata var. striata, Eriophorum virginicum, Lysimachia asperulifolia, Nymphaea odorata, Peltandra virginica, Polygala brevifolia, Rhynchospora alba, Utricularia subulata, and Vaccinium macrocarpon. Stands of this alliance occur both in areas that are truly ombrotrophic (receiving nutrients from rainfall only), with pH <4.2, and areas that are somewhat influenced by groundwater. Vegetation of this alliance is found in mucky peat-burns or other openings which form a mosaic with various shrublands (e.g., ~Cyrilla racemiflora - Zenobia pulverulenta Wet Shrubland (CEGL003943)$$) in low, medium, or high pocosins (including ombrotrophic blanket bogs) of the Outer Coastal Plain of North Carolina.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Vegetation dominated by Chamaedaphne calyculata found in eastern North Carolina, especially in pocosins.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This vegetation is only found in eastern North Carolina. Other, more northern vegetation dominated by Chamaedaphne calyculata is not included here. This alliance has a restricted distribution and includes only herbaceous openings, with scattered to fairly extensive mats of shrubs, primarily Chamaedaphne calyculata, Vaccinium macrocarpon, and Zenobia pulverulenta, forming a mosaic with various low pocosin types, in the wettest low pocosins of peat domes (ombrotrophic blanket bogs) of the outer Coastal Plain of North Carolina. Sometimes the result of peat-burns, sometimes permanent or semipermanent. This alliance is characterized by the following species: Carex striata, Chamaedaphne calyculata, Peltandra spp. (Peltandra virginica and Peltandra sagittifolia), Sarracenia spp. (Sarracenia flava, Sarracenia purpurea, and Sarracenia rubra), Utricularia spp., and Woodwardia virginica. It includes peat-burn openings and other mucky depressions in low, medium, or high pocosin, sometimes forming a mosaic with various shrublands; characteristic species here include Calamovilfa brevipilis, Eriophorum virginicum, Lysimachia asperulifolia, Peltandra sagittifolia, Utricularia subulata, and other shrubs (scattered). In addition, it includes mucky openings forming a mosaic with ~Cyrilla racemiflora - Zenobia pulverulenta Wet Shrubland (CEGL003943)$$ in the wettest low pocosins of peat domes (ombrotrophic blanket bogs) of the outer Coastal Plain of North Carolina. In these examples, characteristic species include Lysimachia asperulifolia, Nymphaea odorata, Peltandra virginica, and Utricularia subulata. The alliance also includes herbaceous openings which form a mosaic with ~Ilex glabra - Lyonia lucida - Zenobia pulverulenta Wet Shrubland (CEGL003944)$$ in the wettest low pocosins of peat domes (ombrotrophic blanket bogs) of the Outer Coastal Plain of North Carolina. Other characteristic species in these examples include Chamaedaphne calyculata, Polygala brevifolia, Rhynchospora alba, and Vaccinium macrocarpon.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Dwarf evergreen shrubland, which can be extensive in peatlands.
Floristics: This alliance is found in the peatlands of North Carolina, and some elements are part of the pocosin landscape. The ground layer is dominated by ericaceous dwarf-shrubs (>25%). The dwarf-shrub layer is dominated by Chamaedaphne calyculata. Vegetation of this alliance is found in mucky peat-burns or other openings which form a mosaic with various shrublands in low, medium, or high pocosins (including ombrotrophic blanket bogs) of the Outer Coastal Plain of North Carolina. Other characteristic species include Calamovilfa brevipilis, Carex striata, Eriophorum virginicum, Lysimachia asperulifolia, Nymphaea odorata, Peltandra virginica, Polygala brevifolia, Rhynchospora alba, Utricularia subulata, and Vaccinium macrocarpon.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Stands of this alliance occur both in areas that are truly ombrotrophic, receiving nutrients from rainfall only, with pH <4.2 and areas that are somewhat influenced by groundwater.
Geographic Range: This alliance occurs only on the Outer Coastal Plain of eastern North Carolina.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: NC
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899564
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.2 Temperate to Polar Bog & Fen Formation | F016 | 2.C.2 |
| Division | 2.C.2.Nb Atlantic & Gulf Coastal Plain Pocosin Division | D324 | 2.C.2.Nb |
| Macrogroup | 2.C.2.Nb.1 Shining Fetterbush - Inkberry - Swamp Titi Bog & Fen Macrogroup | M065 | 2.C.2.Nb.1 |
| Group | 2.C.2.Nb.1.a Shining Fetterbush - Inkberry - Swamp Titi Pocosin & Shrub Bog Group | G186 | 2.C.2.Nb.1.a |
| Alliance | A3441 Leatherleaf / Walter''s Sedge Dwarf-shrub Pocosin Alliance | A3441 | 2.C.2.Nb.1.a |
| Association | CEGL004163 Leatherleaf / Walter''s Sedge - Virginia Chainfern Wet Dwarf-shrubland | CEGL004163 | 2.C.2.Nb.1.a |
| Association | CEGL004164 Leatherleaf / Walter''s Sedge - (Yellow Pitcherplant, Purple Pitcherplant, Sweet Pitcherplant) Wet Dwarf-shrubland | CEGL004164 | 2.C.2.Nb.1.a |
| Association | CEGL004165 Leatherleaf - Cranberry / Walter''s Sedge - Netted Chainfern Wet Dwarf-shrubland | CEGL004165 | 2.C.2.Nb.1.a |
Concept Lineage: A North Carolina only new alliance with vegetation split from old alliance A.1092 Chamaedaphne calyculata Saturated Dwarf-shrubland Alliance. (pasted in from A.1092 with edits in track changes)
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: >< IIC1a. Low Pocosin (Allard 1990)
- 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.
- Christensen, N. L. 1979. Shrublands of the southeastern United States. Pages 441-449 in: R. L. Specht, editor. Ecosystems of the world. Series Publication 9A. Heathlands and related shrublands: Descriptive studies. Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company, New York.
- 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.
- Kologiski, R. L. 1977. The phytosociology of the Green Swamp, North Carolina. North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station. Bulletin No. 250. 101 pp.
- 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.