Print Report

A3704 Dasiphora fruticosa / Oligoneuron riddellii - Andropogon gerardii Graminoid Fen Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This alliance is currently found in the north-central Midwest of the United States and perhaps in southwestern Ontario, Canada. Stands are a variable combination of low shrubs and herbs on minerotrophically rich mucks, often called prairie fens. The most consistent shrub dominant is Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda, but other shrubs include Salix candida.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Shrubby-cinquefoil / Riddell''s Goldenrod - Big Bluestem Graminoid Fen Alliance

Colloquial Name: Midwest Prairie Fen

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This alliance is currently found in the north-central Midwest of the United States and perhaps in southwestern Ontario, Canada. Stands are a variable combination of low shrubs and herbs on minerotrophically rich mucks, often called prairie fens. The shrub layer is low (0.5-1 m) and varies from scattered to dense cover over a dense herbaceous layer. Patterning within large fens may occur, leading to recognizable zones, such as sedge flats, which occur around the spring discharge; fen meadows, which occur in the adjacent saturated zone as a variable combination of shrubs and herbs; and tall-shrub fens, which occur on more elevated portions or edges of the fen. The most consistent shrub dominant is Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda, but other shrubs include Salix candida. Typical herbaceous associates include a variety of sedges that vary across the range of the alliance, including Carex sterilis, Carex lasiocarpa, and Carex stricta. Many prairie species may be typically associated, including Andropogon gerardii, Oligoneuron ohioense, Sorghastrum nutans, Sporobolus heterolepis, and others. Fire probability is higher in prairie fens than in most other fens. Soils are saturated mucks, neutral to alkaline, marly, and with excessive water-retaining capacity.

Diagnostic Characteristics: The most consistent shrub dominant is Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda, but other shrubs include Salix candida. Typical herbaceous associates include a variety of sedges that vary across the range of the alliance, including Carex sterilis, Carex lasiocarpa, and Carex stricta. Many prairie species may be typically associated, including Andropogon gerardii, Oligoneuron ohioense, Sorghastrum nutans, and Sporobolus heterolepis.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This alliance may be a new group with separate alliances for Great Lakes rich fen and prairie rich fen. Note that ~Juniperus virginiana / Betula pumila / Carex sterilis - Oligoneuron rigidum Fen (CEGL006367)$$ in New Jersey also has some prairie grass species, but comparison with its overall floristics to that of Midwest prairie fen is needed before including it in this alliance.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Stands are a variable combination of low shrubs and herbs on minerotrophically rich mucks, often called prairie fens. The shrub layer is low (0.5-1 m) and varies from scattered to dense cover over a dense herbaceous layer. Patterning within large fens may occur, leading to recognizable zones, such as sedge flats, which occur around the spring discharge; fen meadows, which occur in the adjacent saturated zone as a variable combination of shrubs and herbs; and tall-shrub fens, which occur on more elevated portions or edges of the fen.

Floristics: The most consistent shrub dominant is Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda (= Pentaphylloides floribunda), but other shrubs include Salix candida. Typical herbaceous associates include a variety of sedges that vary across the range of the alliance, including Carex sterilis, Carex lasiocarpa, and Carex stricta. Many prairie species may be typically associated, including Andropogon gerardii, Oligoneuron ohioense (= Solidago ohioensis), Sorghastrum nutans, Sporobolus heterolepis, and others.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  Soils are saturated mucks, neutral to alkaline, marly, and with excessive water-retaining capacity. Fire probability is higher in prairie fens than in most other fens.
Geographic Range: This alliance is currently found in the north-central Midwest of the United States and perhaps in southwestern Ontario, Canada.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  IA, IL, IN, MB, MI, MN, ND, NJ, OH, ON, SD, WI


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.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.2 Shrubby cinquefoil - Woolly-fruit Sedge / Star Campylium Moss Alkaline Fen Macrogroup M877 2.C.2.Na.2
Group 2.C.2.Na.2.b Shrubby-cinquefoil / Dioecious Sedge - Smooth Sawgrass Alkaline Fen Group G183 2.C.2.Na.2.b
Alliance A3704 Shrubby-cinquefoil / Riddell''s Goldenrod - Big Bluestem Graminoid Fen Alliance A3704 2.C.2.Na.2.b
Association CEGL002189 Bog Birch - Willow species / Woolly-fruit Sedge - Northern Bog Aster Prairie Fen CEGL002189 2.C.2.Na.2.b
Association CEGL002267 Prairie Sedge - Common Threesquare - Needle Beaksedge Fen CEGL002267 2.C.2.Na.2.b
Association CEGL002383 Woolly-fruit Sedge - Reedgrass species - (Beaked Spikerush) Fen CEGL002383 2.C.2.Na.2.b
Association CEGL005087 Silky Dogwood - Willow species - Poison-sumac - Lanceleaf Buckthorn Fen CEGL005087 2.C.2.Na.2.b
Association CEGL005103 Smooth Sawgrass - Northeastern Sedge - White Beaksedge - Canadian Rush Fen CEGL005103 2.C.2.Na.2.b
Association CEGL005104 Smooth Sawgrass - (Woolly-fruit Sedge, Kalm''s St. John''s-wort, Riddell''s Goldenrod, Elliptic Spikerush ) Fen CEGL005104 2.C.2.Na.2.b
Association CEGL005139 Shrubby-cinquefoil / Dioecious Sedge - Big Bluestem - Groove-stem Indian-plantain Fen CEGL005139 2.C.2.Na.2.b
Association CEGL005241 Upright Sedge - Tobacco-root - Marsh Grass-of-Parnassus Fen CEGL005241 2.C.2.Na.2.b
Concept Lineage: A.1447, A.1453, A.1016, A.1562.

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

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

Author of Description: D. Faber-Langendoen

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

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.