Print Report

A3585 Myrica gale - Spiraea douglasii - Vaccinium cespitosum Shrub Fen Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: The alliance includes acidic fens dominated by shrubs such as Myrica gale, Spiraea douglasii, and/or Vaccinium cespitosum, usually with a dense moss (Sphagnum) layer. This alliance is found along coastal British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and possibly northern California.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Sweetgale - Rose Spirea - Dwarf Bilberry Shrub Fen Alliance

Colloquial Name: Sweetgale - Rose Spirea - Dwarf Bilberry Shrub Fen

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This alliance contains shrub-dominated acidic fens dominated primarily by the deciduous Myrica gale, Spiraea douglasii, and/or Vaccinium cespitosum. The herb layer is variable and often includes a dense moss (Sphagnum) layer. Herbaceous vascular species include Boykinia intermedia, Carex obnupta, Deschampsia cespitosa, and Trientalis europaea ssp. arctica. This alliance is found along coastal British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and possibly northern California. These wetlands have organic soils (>40 cm deep).

Diagnostic Characteristics: High cover (at least 25%) of one or a combination of any of the three nominal shrub species: Myrica gale, Spiraea douglasii, and Vaccinium cespitosum, usually with high Sphagnum cover.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: No Data Available

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: An open to closed shrub layer (0.3-2.0 m tall).

Floristics: These shrub-dominated wetlands are dominated by Myrica gale, Spiraea douglasii, and/or Vaccinium cespitosum. Herb layer often includes Boykinia intermedia, Carex obnupta, Deschampsia cespitosa, and Trientalis europaea ssp. arctica and a dense moss (Sphagnum) layer.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  These wetlands have organic soils (>40 cm deep).
Geographic Range: This alliance is found along coastal British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and possibly northern California.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  BC, CA?, OR, WA


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.3 Beach Pine / Bog Labrador-tea / Cusick''s Sedge North Pacific Bog & Fen Macrogroup M063 2.C.2.Na.3
Group 2.C.2.Na.3.b North Pacific Acidic Open Bog & Fen Group G284 2.C.2.Na.3.b
Alliance A3585 Sweetgale - Rose Spirea - Dwarf Bilberry Shrub Fen Alliance A3585 2.C.2.Na.3.b
Association CEGL003336 Sweetgale / Sierra Brookfoam / Slough Sedge Fen CEGL003336 2.C.2.Na.3.b
Association CEGL003416 Rose Spirea / Peatmoss species Fen CEGL003416 2.C.2.Na.3.b
Association CEGL003419 Sweetgale / Great Burnet / Peatmoss species Fen CEGL003419 2.C.2.Na.3.b
Association CEGL003420 Sweetgale - Rose Spirea / Peatmoss species Fen CEGL003420 2.C.2.Na.3.b
Association CEGL003438 Dwarf Bilberry / Great Burnet Fen CEGL003438 2.C.2.Na.3.b
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
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
  • 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.