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A3821 Camassia quamash - Isoetes nuttallii - Carex unilateralis Lowland Wet Prairie Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: Herbaceous wetlands with a seasonally perched water table dominated by species of Isoetes or Camassia quamash, from sea level to 1500 m in mountain ranges along the Pacific coast.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Small Camas - Nuttall''s Quillwort - Lateral Sedge Lowland Wet Prairie Alliance

Colloquial Name: Lowland Camas - Quillwort Wet Prairie

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This alliance of the western United States is dominated by species of Isoetes or Camassia quamash. Flooded areas dominated by Isoetes nuttallii, Isoetes howellii, and/or Isoetes orcuttii occur on lake and pond bottoms and edges of waterbodies, while seasonally wet clay prairies are characterized by Camassia quamash, which seem to disappear with summer drought. Stands of this alliance are found on stream and lake margins, in vernal pools, ponds, and marshes, and clay prairie and basalt scabland with a seasonally perched water table. Elevational ranges vary from sea level to 1500 m. This alliance is found in California''s Coast Ranges, the Klamath Range, the Cascades, and the Peninsular and Transverse ranges.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Lowland vernal pools and prairies dominated by either of the two nominal species.

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 permanently flooded, temperate or subpolar, hydromorphic-rooted vegetation forms an intermittent or open herbaceous canopy less than 10 cm in height.

Floristics: Stands of this alliance are dominated by Isoetes spp. The specific species are dependent on elevation and duration of inundation. Lower elevation stands with semipermanent flooding are likely to be dominated by Isoetes howellii and/or Isoetes orcuttii. Montane lakes and ponds are likely to be dominated by Isoetes bolanderi, Isoetes tenella (= Isoetes echinospora), and/or Isoetes occidentalis. Isoetes nuttallii may occur along stream margins. Quillworts may be the dominant plants on lake and pond bottoms. Clay prairies are characterized by Camassia quamash with lesser amounts of Saxifraga oregana, Ranunculus occidentalis, and Triteleia hyacinthina. Weeds such as Hypochaeris radicata, Stellaria sp., Aira caryophyllea, and Galium aparine may be inconspicuous when Camassia is at its peak but may dominate sites once it has disappeared. Both white and blue forms of Camassia quamash may be present, as well as Camassia leichtlinii.

Dynamics:  Seasonal or permanent flooding is required to maintain stands of this alliance. In lower elevational stands, winter precipitation fills vernal ponds, which retain this water through much of the spring. Permanent waterbodies like streams and lakes support stands along the margins and shallows.
Environmental Description:  This hydromorphic vegetation type occurs in seasonal to permanent, freshwater wetlands. Water is still or slow-moving. Stands of this alliance are found on stream and lake margins, in vernal pools, ponds, and marshes. Elevational ranges vary from sea level to 1500 m.
Geographic Range: This alliance of the western United States is found in California''s Coast Ranges, the Klamath Range, the Cascades the Peninsular and Transverse ranges.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  BC?, CA, ID, NV, OR, WA


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.4 Vancouverian Lowland Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Macrogroup M073 2.C.4.Nb.4
Group 2.C.4.Nb.4.b Bering''s Tufted Hairgrass - Pacific Silverweed - Slough Sedge Vancouverian Freshwater Coastal Marsh & Wet Meadow Group G517 2.C.4.Nb.4.b
Alliance A3821 Small Camas - Nuttall''s Quillwort - Lateral Sedge Lowland Wet Prairie Alliance A3821 2.C.4.Nb.4.b
Association CEGL001830 Lateral Sedge - Meadow Barley Wet Prairie CEGL001830 2.C.4.Nb.4.b
Association CEGL003341 Small Camas Lowland Wet Prairie CEGL003341 2.C.4.Nb.4.b
Association CEGL003343 Nuttall''s Quillwort Wet Meadow CEGL003343 2.C.4.Nb.4.b
Association CEGL003411 Common Spikerush - Lateral Sedge Wet Meadow CEGL003411 2.C.4.Nb.4.b
Association CEGL003430 Meadow Barley Lowland Wet Meadow CEGL003430 2.C.4.Nb.4.b
Concept Lineage: A.1746, A.2587

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Camassia quamash (Small camas meadows) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [45.416.00]
>< Isoetes (bolanderi, echinospora, howellii, nuttallii, occidentalis) (Quillwort beds) Provisional Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [52.109.00]
>< Freshwater Marsh (#52400) (Holland 1986b)
Concept Author(s): G. Kittel, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: G. Kittel

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 01-08-14
  • 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.
  • Holland, R. F. 1986b. Preliminary descriptions of the terrestrial natural communities of California. Unpublished report prepared for the California Department of Fish and Game, Nongame-Heritage Program and Natural Diversity Database, Sacramento. 156 pp.
  • Sawyer, J. O., T. Keeler-Wolf, and J. Evens. 2009. A manual of California vegetation. Second edition. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento CA. 1300 pp.
  • Sawyer, J. O., and T. Keeler-Wolf. 1995. A manual of California vegetation. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento. 471 pp.