Print Report

A3850 Bidens cernua - Euthamia occidentalis - Ludwigia palustris Intertidal Mudflat Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This herbaceous alliance is dominated by species such as Amaranthus spp., Bidens cernua, Eleocharis palustris, Euphorbia spp., Euthamia occidentalis, Leersia oryzoides, Ludwigia palustris, Polygonum hydropiperoides, and Sagittaria latifolia, but many more species have been recorded. This herbaceous alliance of the western U.S. occurs in low-elevation (<1000 m [3280 feet]) marshes and mudflats along low-gradient streams, shallow ponds, and depressional wetlands. Soil is seasonally flooded to perennially saturated silt loam to clay. The alliance is strictly herbaceous and dominated by low-growing and prostrate forbs, and drying aquatic plants, i.e., species that tolerate early-season flooding and summer drying that exposes mudflats with subirrigation.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Nodding Beggarticks - Western Goldentop - Marsh Seedbox Intertidal Mudflat Alliance

Colloquial Name: Western Forb Intertidal Mudflat

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: The alliance is strictly herbaceous and dominated by species such as Amaranthus spp., Bidens cernua, Eleocharis palustris, Euphorbia spp., Euthamia occidentalis, Leersia oryzoides, Ludwigia palustris, Polygonum hydropiperoides, and Sagittaria latifolia, but many more species have been recorded. These are low-growing and prostrate forbs, and drying aquatic plants, i.e., species that tolerate early-season flooding and summer drying that exposes mudflats with subirrigation. This alliance was probably fairly widespread in lowlands of the West prior to flood control. Prolonged pooling in depressions and freshwater tidal flooding along streams helps to keep invasive Phalaris arundinacea from invading stands. This herbaceous alliance of the western U.S. occurs in low-elevation (<1000 m [3280 feet]) marshes and mudflats along low-gradient streams, shallow ponds, and depressional wetlands. Soil is seasonally flooded to perennially saturated silt loam to clay.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Sparse to high cover of herbaceous forbs on drying mudflats.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Graminoid species of mudflats belong to a different alliance.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: These are low-growing and prostrate forbs, and drying aquatic plants, i.e., species that tolerate early-season flooding and summer drying.

Floristics: The alliance is strictly herbaceous and dominated by species such as Amaranthus spp., Bidens cernua, Eleocharis palustris, Euphorbia spp., Euthamia occidentalis, Leersia oryzoides, Ludwigia palustris, Polygonum hydropiperoides, and Sagittaria latifolia, but many more species have been recorded. These are low-growing and prostrate forbs, and drying aquatic plants, i.e., species that tolerate early-season flooding and summer drying that exposes mudflats with subirrigation.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  This alliance was probably fairly widespread in lowlands of the West prior to flood control. Prolonged pooling in depressions and freshwater tidal flooding along streams helps to keep invasive Phalaris arundinacea from invading stands. This herbaceous alliance of the western U.S. occurs in low-elevation (<1000 m [3280 feet]) marshes and mudflats along low-gradient streams, shallow ponds, and depressional wetlands. Soil is seasonally flooded to perennially saturated silt loam to clay.
Geographic Range: This alliance occurs in lowlands and valley bottoms of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, and Nevada.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  CO, ID, MT, 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.4 Vancouverian Lowland Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Macrogroup M073 2.C.4.Nb.4
Group 2.C.4.Nb.4.a Blunt Spikerush - Teal Lovegrass - Marsh Seedbox Temperate Pacific Freshwater Wet Mudflat Group G525 2.C.4.Nb.4.a
Alliance A3850 Nodding Beggarticks - Western Goldentop - Marsh Seedbox Intertidal Mudflat Alliance A3850 2.C.4.Nb.4.a
Association CEGL003324 Nodding Beggarticks Mudflat CEGL003324 2.C.4.Nb.4.a
Association CEGL003328 Western Goldentop Mudflat CEGL003328 2.C.4.Nb.4.a
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

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

Author of Description: G. Kittel

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.