Physiognomy and Structure: Vegetation in this alliance is characterized by medium to tall graminoids which typically range from 1 to over 2 m in height. The vegetation is moderately dense to dense. In deeper water, where the tall graminoids are not densely packed, rooted aquatic species may be common. Shrubs are typically not present, but may occasionally be found in shallow-water areas.

Floristics: Some stands are heavily dominated by one or two Schoenoplectus species, while others have several graminoids common throughout the stand. The most abundant species are typically Schoenoplectus acutus (= Scirpus acutus), Bolboschoenus maritimus (= Schoenoplectus maritimus), and Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani (= Scirpus tabernaemontani). Species composition and abundance can vary from year to year depending mostly on water level fluctuations. In most years, typical species include Lemna spp., Phragmites australis, Schoenoplectus americanus (= Scirpus americanus) (in alkaline stands), Triglochin maritima (in alkaline stands), Typha latifolia, and Utricularia macrorhiza. In moderately saline stands, typical species include Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis (= Juncus balticus), Scolochloa festucacea, Schoenoplectus americanus, and Triglochin maritima. Triglochin maritima can also grow on the drier edges of the more saline stands. Potamogeton spp. often occur in the deeper parts of stands of this alliance and where emergent species are not densely packed. Shrubs such as Salix spp. are not common, but may become established in shallow-water areas. During droughts, annual species may colonize exposed soil ,and wet meadow species, such as Carex spp., Calamagrostis canadensis, and Scolochloa festucacea, may invade and alter the species composition of stands of this alliance until they are flooded out by a return to high water conditions.

Dynamics:  Schoenoplectus acutus and Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani are early colonizers of suitable habitats (Hansen et al. 1995), and are able to persist under wet conditions. Schoenoplectus spp. stands are generally considered permanent wetland communities. They will remain in place unless the hydrologic regime is severely altered. In the Prairie Pothole region, where this alliance is centered, water levels regularly rise and fall over multi-year cycles of high and low precipitation. If water levels have fallen, stands of this alliance can burn in either late fall or early spring. Stands of Schoenoplectus are important to wildlife species, especially birds, by providing cover and nesting habitat.