Print Report

A3667 Equisetum fluviatile - Eleocharis palustris Marsh Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This low graminoid marsh alliance is found in the subboreal regions of the Great Lakes in shallow water where emergent graminoids, especially Equisetum fluviatile and Eleocharis palustris, dominate.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Water Horsetail - Common Spikerush Marsh Alliance

Colloquial Name: Eastern Water Horsetail - Common Spikerush Marsh

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: Emergent cover is greater than 25%, and floating-leaved and submergent cover is low. Emergent graminoids <1 m dominate the stands, including Equisetum fluviatile and/or Eleocharis palustris. Associated species of low constancy include Glyceria borealis, Isoetes tenella, Potamogeton gramineus, and Utricularia macrorhiza. A layer of partially decomposed stalks may be present. This low graminoid marsh alliance is found in the subboreal regions of the Great Lakes and perhaps more widely in Canada. Stands occur in wave-washed shores, sandbars, and stream channels. Substrate is mineral soil (often sand), sometimes held together by root mats. The water regime is permanently flooded to intermittently exposed, and water depth is generally less than 1 m.

Diagnostic Characteristics: This alliance is characterized by subboreal emergent wetlands near the Great Lakes dominated by Equisetum fluviatile and Eleocharis palustris.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This type can occur as reed swamp communities. It can grade into bulrush-dominated communities, or occur in conjunction with wild rice marshes. The range limit westward for this alliance remains to be worked out. The Northern Great Lakes Emergent Marsh type, ~Schoenoplectus acutus - Schoenoplectus subterminalis - Eleocharis palustris - (Schoenoplectus americanus) Northern Great Lakes Shore Marsh (CEGL005274)$$, may resemble this alliance to some degree.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This alliance is characterized by a moderate to dense cover of emergent graminoids. The graminoids are rhizomatous perennials and the majority are less than 1 m in height. Few forb species are present.

Floristics: In stands of this alliance, Equisetum fluviatile is the most consistently abundant species and occasionally forms monotypic stands. In mixed stands, the graminoids Eleocharis palustris (= Eleocharis smallii), Carex rostrata, Carex aquatilis, Carex utriculata, Alopecurus aequalis, Glyceria grandis, and Scirpus and/or Schoenoplectus spp., and the forbs Bidens cernua, Epilobium leptophyllum, Scutellaria galericulata, Galium trifidum, and Mentha arvensis may be present. Associated species of low constancy include Isoetes tenella (= Isoetes echinospora), Potamogeton gramineus, and Utricularia macrorhiza (= Utricularia vulgaris). A layer of partially decomposed stalks may be present.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  The vegetation in this alliance occurs in a variety of wetland habitats in the Great Lakes area and probably into Canada. Stands are typically found in shallow (<1 m) water over mineral soils, usually sand or silt. Stands are often located along wave-washed shores and stream channels where the wave action or current prevent the accumulation of peat and muck (Harris et al. 1996).
Geographic Range: This alliance is found in the northern Great Lakes region from Quebec through Ontario, northern Michigan, northern Wisconsin, and northern Minnesota. It likely extends to Manitoba, though the western range limit is unclear.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  MB, MI, MN, ON, QC?


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.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.a Bulrush species - Cattail species Freshwater Marsh Group G125 2.C.4.Nd.2.a
Alliance A3667 Water Horsetail - Common Spikerush Marsh Alliance A3667 2.C.4.Nd.2.a
Concept Lineage: This alliance consists of the Midwestern portion of old A.1678.

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
Concept Author(s): J. Drake, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: J. Drake

Acknowledgements: We have incorporated significant descriptive information previously compiled by M. Damm and L. Allen.

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.
  • Faber-Langendoen, D., and Midwest State Natural Heritage Program Ecologists. 1996. Terrestrial vegetation of the midwest United States. International classification of ecological communities: Terrestrial vegetation of the United States. The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, VA.
  • Harris, A. G., S. C. McMurray, P. W. C. Uhlig, J. K. Jeglum, R. F. Foster, and G. D. Racey. 1996. Field guide to the wetland ecosystem classification for northwestern Ontario. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Northwest Science and Technology, Thunder Bay, Ontario. Field guide FG-01. 74 pp. plus appendix.