Print Report

A3812 Mimulus spp. - Primula parryi - Dodecatheon redolens Wet Meadow Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: These very wet montane to subalpine meadows are dominated by forbs Mimulus spp., Primula spp. and/or Dodecatheon spp., often in channels of snowmelt, in the Cascade Range, Intermountain West ranges, and Rocky Mountains.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Monkeyflower species - Parry''s Primrose - Scented Shootingstar Wet Meadow Alliance

Colloquial Name: Monkeyflower - Primrose - Shootingstar Wet Meadow

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This alliance consists of associations dominated by the forbs Dodecatheon redolens, Mimulus lewisii, Mimulus primuloides, Mimulus tilingii, or Primula parryi. Co-associates include Angelica kingii, Aquilegia formosa, Carex aurea, Carex scopulorum, Deschampsia cespitosa, Epilobium anagallidifolium, Juncus drummondii, Maianthemum stellatum, Oreostemma alpigenum var. andersonii, Platanthera sparsiflora, and Salix eastwoodiae. This alliance is found in the Cascade Range, Intermountain West ranges, and Rocky Mountains. It occurs in very wet montane to subalpine meadows, often in channels of snowmelt or hillside seeps. Sites are often open places at moderate to high elevation (2015 to 3600 m), on gentle slopes in areas where the snow may persist late into the growing season or melt early.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Very wet montane to subalpine meadows dominated by forbs Mimulus spp., Primula spp. and/or Dodecatheon spp., often in channels of snow melt.

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: This alliance is dominated by rhizomatous, perennial forbs that form dense mats by rooting at the nodes.

Floristics: Stands are dominated by Dodecatheon redolens (= Dodecatheon jeffreyi var. redolens), Mimulus lewisii, Mimulus primuloides, Mimulus tilingii, or Primula parryi. Co-associates include Angelica kingii, Aquilegia formosa, Carex aurea, Carex scopulorum, Deschampsia cespitosa, Epilobium anagallidifolium, Juncus drummondii, Maianthemum stellatum (= Smilacina stellata), Oreostemma alpigenum var. andersonii (= Aster alpigenus ssp. andersonii), Platanthera sparsiflora, Salix eastwoodiae, and Salix commutata. Species richness is low to moderate with an average of 18 species per stand. Total cover is high, 90-100%, and generally with 0-2% bare ground (Nachlinger 1985). The moss layer is dominated by Philonotis fontana var. pumila (= Philonotis tomentella) (Komarkova 1976, 1986).

Dynamics:  Patches of bare ground within this alliance may be caused by pocket gophers (Thomomys monticola) (Nachlinger 1985, McCain et al. 2014).
Environmental Description:  This alliance can be found at springs, along streams, below snowpatches, in wet meadows and other moist, mostly open places at moderate to high elevations (2400-3600 m). Sites are generally <10° (18%) slopes but are also reported on slopes of 22-35° (40-70%) in the Oregon northern Cascades (McCain et. al 2014). It occurs where the snow may persist late into the growing season or melt early. Standing water may be present but is uncommon; running water is more likely (Hitchcock et al. 1959, Osburn 1963, Komarkova 1976, Nachlinger 1985, McCain et al. 2014).
Geographic Range: This alliance is found in the Cascade Range, Intermountain West ranges, and Rocky Mountains.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  AB, AZ, BC, CA, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY


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.4 Temperate to Polar Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Formation F013 2.C.4
Division 2.C.4.Nb Western North American Temperate Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Division D031 2.C.4.Nb
Macrogroup 2.C.4.Nb.5 Sitka Alder - Booth''s Willow / Northwest Territory Sedge Montane Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Macrogroup M893 2.C.4.Nb.5
Group 2.C.4.Nb.5.b Sedge species - Reedgrass species Montane Wet Meadow & Marsh Group G521 2.C.4.Nb.5.b
Alliance A3812 Monkeyflower species - Parry''s Primrose - Scented Shootingstar Wet Meadow Alliance A3812 2.C.4.Nb.5.b
Association CEGL001975 Primrose Monkeyflower - Mountain Sedge Wet Meadow CEGL001975 2.C.4.Nb.5.b
Association CEGL001983 Parry''s Primrose Wet Meadow CEGL001983 2.C.4.Nb.5.b
Association CEGL002709 Scented Shootingstar - Western Columbine Wet Meadow CEGL002709 2.C.4.Nb.5.b
Association CEGL005305 Seep Monkeyflower - (Monkeyflower species) Seep CEGL005305 2.C.4.Nb.5.b
Concept Lineage: A.1664, A.1665, A.2510

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Mimulus (guttatus) (Common monkey flower seeps) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [44.111.00]
? Mimulus (guttatus) Herbaceous Alliance (CNPS 2017) [44.111.00]
? Primula parryi Series (Johnston 1987)
Concept Author(s): G. Kittel, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: G. Kittel and D. Culver

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 09-26-14
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