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A3687 Andropogon capillipes - Panicum tenerum - Dichanthelium wrightianum Wet Grassland Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: The vegetation of this alliance is codominated by, or at least contains, Andropogon capillipes, and is found in seasonally flooded depressional wetlands as well as temporarily flooded interdune swales and related habitats in the Southeastern Coastal Plain of the United States.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Chalky Bluestem - Bluejoint Panicgrass - Wright''s Rosette Grass Wet Grassland Alliance

Colloquial Name: Southeastern Coastal Plain Interdune Swale

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: The vegetation of this alliance is codominated by, or at least contains, Andropogon capillipes with a combination of low shrubs and herbaceous plants. Examples occur in seasonally flooded depressional wetlands as well as temporarily flooded interdune swales and related habitats in the Southeastern Coastal Plain of the United States. In addition to Andropogon capillipes, examples may contain Dichanthelium wrightianum and Fuirena scirpoidea (which are characteristic), as well as a number of Rhynchospora spp., including Rhynchospora cephalantha, Rhynchospora corniculata, Rhynchospora filifolia, Rhynchospora latifolia, and Rhynchospora tracyi. The interdune swales are typically dominated by the shrub Hypericum tenuifolium. Other typical species include Andropogon capillipes ("dryland variant"), Licania michauxii, Polygonella gracilis, Serenoa repens, Xyris caroliniana, and the lichens Cladonia leporina and Cladonia prostrata. These associated taxa are somewhat variable among these habitats. In the depressions, hydrology varies from short flooding to long-duration seasonal flooding. These depressions are of various origins, including limesink ponds, interdune swales, Carolina bays, and other coastal plain ponds and lakes. Although this vegetation generally presents a very xeric appearance, the occasional flooding maintains its open aspect compared to dense scrub upslope.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Vegetation of this alliance occurs in seasonally flooded depressional wetlands as well as temporarily flooded interdune swales and related habitats in the Southeastern Coastal Plain of the United States. Stands are codominated by, or at least contain, Andropogon capillipes.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Descriptive information is taken from the 2 member associations (CEGL003953 and CEGL004953). This vegetation includes temporarily flooded interdune swales.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Vegetation of this alliance is dominated by a combination of low shrubs and herbaceous plants, with occasional and scattered clumps of shrubs and trees in some examples. Although this vegetation generally presents a very xeric appearance, the occasional flooding maintains its open aspect compared to dense scrub upslope. This vegetation includes temporarily flooded interdune swales.

Floristics: The vegetation of this alliance is codominated by, or at least contains, Andropogon capillipes with a combination of low shrubs and herbaceous plants. In addition to Andropogon capillipes, examples may contain Dichanthelium wrightianum and Fuirena scirpoidea (which are characteristic), as well as a number of Rhynchospora spp., including Rhynchospora cephalantha, Rhynchospora corniculata, Rhynchospora filifolia, Rhynchospora latifolia, and Rhynchospora tracyi. The interdune swales are typically dominated by the shrub Hypericum tenuifolium (= Hypericum reductum). Other typical species include Andropogon capillipes ("dryland variant"), Licania michauxii, Polygonella gracilis, Serenoa repens, Xyris caroliniana, and the lichens Cladonia leporina and Cladonia prostrata. These associated taxa are somewhat variable among these habitats. In addition, in the Florida Panhandle, characteristic herbaceous plant species include Amphicarpum muehlenbergianum, Aristida purpurascens var. purpurascens (= Aristida affinis), Cladium mariscoides, Coreopsis nudata, Eriocaulon compressum, Fuirena scirpoidea, Ludwigia sphaerocarpa, Lophiola aurea, Oxypolis filiformis, Polygala cymosa, Sabatia bartramii, Scleria baldwinii, and Xyris serotina. Scattered clumps of shrubs and trees may occur, including Ilex glabra, Pinus elliottii var. elliottii, Pinus clausa, Quercus geminata, Quercus myrtifolia, and Serenoa repens.

Dynamics:  In the depressions, hydrology varies from short flooding to long-duration seasonal flooding.
Environmental Description:  In the depressions, hydrology varies from short flooding to long-duration seasonal flooding. These depressions are of various origins, including limesink ponds, interdune swales, upland depressions in xeric sandhills, Carolina bays, limesink or karst ponds, and other coastal plain ponds and lakes.
Geographic Range: Vegetation of this alliance occurs in the Southeastern Coastal Plain of the United States. It is documented in Alabama, Florida and Mississippi.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AL, FL, MS


Confidence Level: Low

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.B Temperate & Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Subclass S18 2.B
Formation 2.B.4 Temperate to Polar Scrub & Herb Coastal Vegetation Formation F005 2.B.4
Division 2.B.4.Na Eastern North American Coastal Scrub & Herb Vegetation Division D026 2.B.4.Na
Macrogroup 2.B.4.Na.2 American Beachgrass - Sea-oats - Seaside Goldenrod Dune & Grassland Macrogroup M057 2.B.4.Na.2
Group 2.B.4.Na.2.a Wax-myrtle - Sea-oats - Shore Little Bluestem Dune & Grassland Group G494 2.B.4.Na.2.a
Alliance A3687 Chalky Bluestem - Bluejoint Panicgrass - Wright''s Rosette Grass Wet Grassland Alliance A3687 2.B.4.Na.2.a
Association CEGL003953 Atlantic St. John''s-wort - Gopher-apple / Chalky Bluestem - Tall Jointweed - Carolina Yellow-eyed-grass Dwarf-shrubland CEGL003953 2.B.4.Na.2.a
Association CEGL004953 Southern Umbrella-sedge - Bluejoint Panicgrass - Wright''s Rosette Grass - Chalky Bluestem Grassland CEGL004953 2.B.4.Na.2.a
Concept Lineage: This alliance includes one member each from the old alliances A.1088 (1/3); and A.1373 (1/4).

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

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

Author of Description: M. Pyne

Acknowledgements: We have incorporated significant descriptive information previously compiled by A.S. Weakley.

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.