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A3580 Schoenoplectus californicus Gulf Coast Tidal Freshwater Marsh Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: These are tidal marshes dominated by Schoenoplectus californicus, found in tidally influenced freshwater to oligohaline marshes along the Gulf Coast of the United States.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: California Bulrush Gulf Coast Tidal Freshwater Marsh Alliance

Colloquial Name: Gulf Coast California Bulrush Tidal Freshwater Marsh

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: These are tidal marshes dominated by Schoenoplectus californicus, which are found in tidally influenced freshwater to oligohaline marshes along the Gulf Coast of the United States. Additional common species may include Bidens laevis, members of the family Cyperaceae, Ludwigia spp., Nymphaea odorata, Panicum hemitomon, Phragmites australis, Pluchea spp., Setaria spp., Spartina patens, Typha domingensis, Typha latifolia, and others.

Diagnostic Characteristics: These Gulf Coast area tidal freshwater marshes are dominated or codominated by Schoenoplectus californicus. This vegetation includes freshwater marshes which only receive storm tides, not normal daily tides.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Old alliance A.2004 was a tropical and subtropical tidal marsh alliance. This new alliance is in the warm temperate climatic zone.

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

Floristics: These tidal marshes are dominated by Schoenoplectus californicus (= Scirpus californicus). Additional common species may include Bidens laevis, members of the family Cyperaceae, Ludwigia spp., Nymphaea odorata, Panicum hemitomon, Phragmites australis, Pluchea spp., Setaria spp., Spartina patens, Typha domingensis, Typha latifolia, and others.

Dynamics:  This includes some oligohaline marshes which are influenced by daily tides and freshwater marshes which only receive storm tides, not normal daily tides.
Environmental Description:  This vegetation occurs in coastal marshes that receive enough fresh water to maintain low salinity levels. It is also found along the upper reaches of coastal bays, and in ditches, sloughs and artificial impoundments, usually in near-coast areas.
Geographic Range: This vegetation is found in the Gulf Coast area from Florida to Texas, but mainly in Louisiana including the Chenier Plain, Deltaic Plain, and Mississippi Sound.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AL, FL, LA, TX


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.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.1 Annual Wild Rice - Saltmeadow Cordgrass - Pickerelweed Fresh-Oligohaline Tidal Marsh Macrogroup M066 2.C.4.Ne.1
Group 2.C.4.Ne.1.b <i>Zizaniopsis milacea - Spartina patens - Panicum hemotimon</i> Freshwater Tidal Marsh Group G913 2.C.4.Ne.1.b
Alliance A3580 California Bulrush Gulf Coast Tidal Freshwater Marsh Alliance A3580 2.C.4.Ne.1.b
Association CEGL003985 California Bulrush Tidal Marsh CEGL003985 2.C.4.Ne.1.b
Association CEGL008464 California Bulrush Gulf Coast Tidal Marsh CEGL008464 2.C.4.Ne.1.b
Concept Lineage: These associations come from the old alliances A1171 (1/1) and A.2004 (1/1).

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Oligohaline Bullwhip (Visser et al. 2000)
Concept Author(s): C. Nordman, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: M. Pyne and J. Teague

Acknowledgements: We have incorporated significant information developed and compiled by A.S. Weakley.

Version Date: 12-18-14
  • 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.
  • Visser, J. M., C. E. Sasser, R. H. Chabreck, and R. G. Linscombe. 2000. Marsh vegetation types of the Chenier Plain, Louisiana, USA. Estuaries 23(3):318-327.