Print Report

A3473 Cephalanthus occidentalis Central Interior Pond Shrubland Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: These are ponds dominated by the tall shrub Cephalanthus occidentalis found in sinkholes and other depressions in the unglaciated regions of the south-central United States.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Common Buttonbush Central Interior Pond Shrubland Alliance

Colloquial Name: South-Central Buttonbush Depression Pond Wet Shrubland

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: These are ponds dominated by the tall shrub Cephalanthus occidentalis found in sinkholes and other depressions in the unglaciated regions of the south-central United States. Stands vary from dense tall shrub thickets to open shrublands. Tree canopy may reach 25% in some stands, with tree associates varying from Acer saccharinum and Quercus palustris in the north to Taxodium distichum in the south. Standing water often is present. Cephalanthus occidentalis is often the sole dominant in stands of this alliance, particularly in deeper (>0.5 m depth) zones of groundwater basins or lake borders on deep organic soils. Occasional shrub associates include Cornus spp., Decodon verticillatus, Ilex verticillata, Rosa palustris, Salix spp., Vaccinium corymbosum, and Viburnum dentatum. Inundation is continuous throughout the year, or these sites can become dry in mid or late summer or during periods of prolonged drought. Soils can vary in texture from clays to sands, with organic horizons overlying these soils.

Diagnostic Characteristics: This Cephalanthus occidentalis sinkhole and depression pond type occurs in the south-central United States. This shrubland occupies portions of small shallow-water depressions which have little or no tree overstory. This Cephalanthus occidentalis vegetation also occurs along the edges of impoundments.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: These are depression ponds which are dominated by Cephalanthus occidentalis and occur in the unglaciated portions of the central United States. They are found throughout Kentucky and occur in sagponds in the Cumberland Plateau in Alabama (Jackson County). ~Cephalanthus occidentalis / Nekemias arborea Ruderal Wet Shrubland (CEGL004182)$$ is included here, but it may be better placed in another alliance; it occurs along the edges of impoundments in the Edwards Plateau region of Texas. Distribution in Oklahoma and Texas stretches the westward limit of this concept and needs review. States of distribution need clarification in this alliance (A3473) versus the coastal plain alliance (A1011).

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This seasonally flooded, deciduous shrubland forms a continuous to open canopy less than 4 m in height. The herbaceous layer is sparse and/or dominated by graminoids.

Floristics: This alliance of seasonally and semipermanently flooded depression wetlands is dominated by Cephalanthus occidentalis. Stands vary from dense tall shrub thickets to open shrublands. Tree canopy may reach 25% in some stands, with tree associates varying from Acer saccharinum and Quercus palustris in the north to Taxodium distichum in the south. Standing water often is present. Cephalanthus occidentalis is often the sole dominant in stands of this alliance, particularly in deeper (>0.5 m depth) zones of groundwater basins or lake borders on deep organic soils. Occasional shrub associates include Cornus spp., Decodon verticillatus, Ilex verticillata, Rosa palustris, Salix spp., Vaccinium corymbosum, and Viburnum dentatum. Floating aquatic plants, such as Lemna spp., can be common in deepwater habitats, whereas a variety of forbs and graminoids are associates under less flooded conditions. These include Bidens tripartita, Boehmeria cylindrica, Glyceria spp., Leersia oryzoides, Panicum verrucosum, Polygonum spp., Scutellaria lateriflora, Sium suave, and a wide variety of Carices (Anderson 1982, Tyrrell 1987), such as Carex striata.

Dynamics:  Seasonal or semi-permanent flooding is important to maintain this alliance. Flooding for long periods of time inhibits the growth of trees, and allows high light levels in the shrub vegetation layer.
Environmental Description:  This shrubland occupies shallow-water depressions and sinkhole ponds in the cool-temperate south-central United States. Inundation is continuous throughout the year, or these sites can become dry in mid or late summer or during periods of prolonged drought. Cephalanthus occidentalis is tolerant of extended periods of inundation. This inundation inhibits tree canopy closure and helps maintain high light levels, which may favor this shrub (Conner et al. 1981). Soils can vary in texture from clays to sands, with organic horizons overlying these soils. In southeastern Tennessee, this alliance includes shrub vegetation of ponds over fragipan soils.
Geographic Range: This alliance is found in the south-central United States, including the Ohio and Tennessee river valleys, and parts of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, Missouri, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and also the Edwards Plateau and Lampasas Cutplain of central Texas.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AL, AR, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MO, OH, OK, TN, TX, WV


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.Nd Eastern North American Temperate Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Division D323 2.C.4.Nd
Macrogroup 2.C.4.Nd.2 Broadleaf Cattail - White Snakeroot - Rush species Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Macrogroup M069 2.C.4.Nd.2
Group 2.C.4.Nd.2.b Common Buttonbush / Sedge species Central Interior Wet Meadow & Shrubland Group G599 2.C.4.Nd.2.b
Alliance A3473 Common Buttonbush Central Interior Pond Shrubland Alliance A3473 2.C.4.Nd.2.b
Association CEGL004742 Common Buttonbush / Crimson-eyed Rosemallow Wet Shrubland CEGL004742 2.C.4.Nd.2.b
Association CEGL008439 Common Buttonbush - (Black Willow, Overcup Oak) Karst Wet Shrubland CEGL008439 2.C.4.Nd.2.b
Association CEGL008474 Hazel Alder Southeastern Shrub Swamp CEGL008474 2.C.4.Nd.2.b
Concept Lineage: A.1011 & A.988, in parts

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: >< IIE1c. Sagpond Complex (Allard 1990)
? L4B3cI1a. Cephalanthus occidentalis (Foti et al. 1994)
? P4B3cII4a. Cephalanthus occidentalis (Foti et al. 1994)
Concept Author(s): C. Nordman, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: M. Pyne

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 02-11-19
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