Print Report
A3652 Panicum virgatum Coastal Wet Meadow Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance encompasses seasonally flooded basins from coastal Massachusetts south to northern coastal Virginia dominated by Panicum virgatum. This vegetation occurs in interdunal wetland depressions, as well as deeper wetland basins in regions underlain by morainal deposits.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Switchgrass Coastal Wet Meadow Alliance
Colloquial Name: Coastal Switchgrass Wet Meadow
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance encompasses seasonally flooded basins from coastal Massachusetts south to northern coastal Virginia dominated by Panicum virgatum. This vegetation occurs in interdunal wetland depressions, as well as deeper wetland basins in regions underlain by morainal deposits. Associated species in the maritime examples include Carex albolutescens, Eleocharis palustris, Euthamia caroliniana, Euthamia graminifolia, Festuca rubra, Juncus canadensis, Linum medium, Solidago sempervirens, Spartina patens, Thelypteris palustris, and Toxicodendron radicans. This alliance includes larger interdunal depressions (up to one-half hectare). Soils are characterized by a shallow organic layer (usually a few centimeters in depth) overlying loamy sand or sand. The water table is at or close to the surface in the spring. These depressions are saturated or seasonally flooded and somewhat poorly drained. Other habitats include seasonally flooded basins landward of maritime backdunes.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Panicum virgatum in coastal wetland setting.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This alliance is variable in species composition. It currently houses basin wetlands of morainal landforms in New England, and interdunal swale settings elsewhere.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This vegetation is strongly dominated by graminoids.
Floristics: Vegetation of this alliance is dominated by Panicum virgatum. Most examples are maritime-related, including interdunal depressions, but associations are also described from areas in Arkansas and other interior states where streams cross prairies and natural depressions in prairies. Associated species in the maritime examples include Carex albolutescens, Eleocharis palustris, Euthamia caroliniana (= Euthamia tenuifolia), Euthamia graminifolia, Festuca rubra, Juncus canadensis, Linum medium, Solidago sempervirens, Spartina patens, Thelypteris palustris, and Toxicodendron radicans.
Dynamics: These depressions are saturated or seasonally flooded and somewhat poorly drained.
Environmental Description: This alliance includes larger interdunal depressions (up to one-half hectare). Soils are characterized by a shallow organic layer (usually a few centimeters in depth) overlying loamy sand or sand. The water table is at or close to the surface in the spring. These depressions are saturated or seasonally flooded and somewhat poorly drained. Other habitats include seasonally flooded basins landward of maritime backdunes.
Geographic Range: This alliance ranges from coastal Massachusetts south to northern coastal Virginia.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: DE, MA, MD, NC, NJ, RI, VA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899710
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
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.2 Beaksedge species - Spikerush species - Panicgrass species Atlantic & Gulf Coastal Plain Wet Prairie & Marsh Macrogroup | M067 | 2.C.4.Ne.2 |
| Group | 2.C.4.Ne.2.f Northern & Mid-Atlantic Coastal Wetland Group | G752 | 2.C.4.Ne.2.f |
| Alliance | A3652 Switchgrass Coastal Wet Meadow Alliance | A3652 | 2.C.4.Ne.2.f |
| Association | CEGL004129 (Wax-myrtle) / Switchgrass - Saltmeadow Cordgrass Wet Meadow | CEGL004129 | 2.C.4.Ne.2.f |
| Association | CEGL006455 Switchgrass - Bog White Violet Wet Meadow | CEGL006455 | 2.C.4.Ne.2.f |
Concept Lineage: A.1362, in part
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: >< Panicum virgatum Wetland Association (Heckscher et al. 1995)
>< Fresh marsh community (Hill 1986)
>< Freshwater marsh (Fender 1937)
>< Fresh marsh community (Hill 1986)
>< Freshwater marsh (Fender 1937)
- 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.
- Fender, F. S. 1937. The flora of Seven Mile Beach, New Jersey. Bartonia 19:23-41.
- Heckscher, C. M., W. A. McAvoy, and K. Clancy. 1995. Biological assessment of the Milford Neck Preserve. Division of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Delaware Natural Heritage Program, Smyrna, DE. 29 pp.
- Higgins, E. A. T., R. D. Rappleye, and R. G. Brown. 1971. The flora and ecology of Assateague Island. University of Maryland Experiment Station Bulletin A-172. 70 pp.
- Hill, S. R. 1986. An annotated checklist of the vascular flora of Assateague Island (Maryland and Virginia). Castanea 5:265-305.