Print Report

A3892 Equisetum fluviatile - Equisetum x ferrissii Marsh Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This alliance contains marshes dominated by emergent Equisetum fluviatile, Equisetum laevigatum, and/or Equisetum x ferrissii all of which can form monotypic stands. The water is shallow (<1 m) over mineral soils, usually sand/or silt, along wave-washed shores and stream channels of the western U.S. and Canada.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Water Horsetail - Ferriss'' Horsetail Marsh Alliance

Colloquial Name: Western Horsetail Marsh

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This herbaceous alliance of shallow emergent marshes is dominated by Equisetum fluviatile, Equisetum laevigatum, and/or Equisetum x ferrissii as the most abundant species, which can form monotypic stands. In mixed stands, the graminoids Agrostis gigantea, Alopecurus aequalis, Carex aquatilis, Carex rostrata, Carex utriculata, Eleocharis palustris, Glyceria grandis, Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis, Muhlenbergia asperifolia, Scirpus and/or Schoenoplectus spp., and the forbs Bidens cernua, Epilobium leptophyllum, Galium trifidum, Mentha arvensis, and Scutellaria galericulata may be present. Ponds are shallow (<1 m in depth), over mineral soils, usually sand or silt, located along wave-washed shores or lakes or stream channels, including the tidal reaches of the Columbia River. The water is nearly fresh with a very low salt content. In Montana, British Columbia and Alberta, stands occur in still water and on wet ground along the margins of ponds or protected bays in lakes and backwater areas of streams.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Stands dominated by Equisetum fluviatile, Equisetum laevigatum, and/or Equisetum x ferrissii.

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 characterized by a moderate to dense cover of emergent graminoids. The graminoids are rhizomatous perennials and the majority are less than 1 m in height. Few forb species are present.

Floristics: This herbaceous alliance contains stands dominated by Equisetum fluviatile, Equisetum laevigatum, and/or Equisetum x ferrissii as the most abundant species, which may form monotypic stands. In mixed stands, the graminoids Agrostis gigantea, Alopecurus aequalis, Carex aquatilis, Carex rostrata, Carex utriculata, Eleocharis palustris (= Eleocharis smallii), Glyceria grandis, Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis (= Juncus balticus), Muhlenbergia asperifolia, Scirpus and/or Schoenoplectus spp., and the forbs Bidens cernua, Cirsium arvense, Epilobium leptophyllum, Galium trifidum, Mentha arvensis, Plantago lanceolata, Scutellaria galericulata, and Tragopogon dubius may be present.

Dynamics:  Clonal growth by means of rhizomes is a feature of the genus Equisetum and is very important to its ability to utilize groundwater and tolerate disturbance. A single rhizome system may cover hundreds of square feet (Hauke 1993). The rhizomes can penetrate to soil depths of 4 m in some circumstances (Page 1997). This deep rhizome growth gives the plants the ability to survive environmental disturbances such as plowing, burial, flooding, fire, and drought. Equisetum species have a remarkable ability to reproduce vegetatively. An extensive rhizome system allows Equisetum species to rapidly colonize disturbed areas (Hauke 1993). This ability gives Equisetum a distinct advantage over species requiring seed establishment or which have slow-growing rhizomes. The ability of Equisetum to survive and spread in areas of heavy sediment accumulation was dramatically demonstrated after the eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980 when Equisetum formed almost monotypic stands in the newly deposited tephra (Rothwell 1996). The deep rhizome system of Equisetum also allows these plants to survive fire and rapidly recolonize burned-over sites (Sullivan 1993). It is probable that the vigorous and extensive rhizomatous habit of Equisetum has been very important to the long-term survival and spread of the genus (Hauke 1993). Fragmentation of rhizomes and stems allows Equisetum to disperse readily in suitable habitats where there is sufficient moisture. Even the aerial stem fragments can sprout and form new colonies (Wagner and Hammitt 1970). Hence, vegetative reproduction allows Equisetum clones to persist and spread even in the absence of sexual reproduction (Hauke 1993).
Environmental Description:  Stands are typically found in shallow (<1 m) water over mineral soils, usually sand or silt. Stands are often located along wave-washed shores and stream channels (Harris et al. 1996), along the tidal reaches of the Columbia River, in still water and wet ground along the margins of ponds or protected bays in lakes and backwater areas of streams (Hansen et al. 1995), or within narrow valley floors and low alluvial terraces of small perennial streams subject to periodic scouring from flooding. Elevations range from sea level to 1785 m (0-5855 feet), slopes generally do not exceed 8%, and aspect varies. Soils are alluvium derived from shales, sandstones or igneous rocks. The soil surface may be bare if flooding has occurred recently, or covered by a mat of older Equisetum stems. The water is nearly fresh with a very low salt content (Kunze 1994).
Geographic Range: This alliance occurs throughout the western U.S. and Canada.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  AB, AZ, BC, ID, MT, 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.1 Arid West Interior Freshwater Marsh Macrogroup M888 2.C.4.Nb.1
Group 2.C.4.Nb.1.a Clubrush species - Cattail species Interior Freshwater Marsh Group G531 2.C.4.Nb.1.a
Alliance A3892 Water Horsetail - Ferriss'' Horsetail Marsh Alliance A3892 2.C.4.Nb.1.a
Association CEGL002746 Water Horsetail Marsh CEGL002746 2.C.4.Nb.1.a
Association CEGL005394 Ferriss'' Horsetail Marsh CEGL005394 2.C.4.Nb.1.a
Concept Lineage: A.1678 [changes include taking out Lake Superior stands, and adding Equisetum X ferrissii]

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Herbaceous and Sedge Wetlands (Chappell et al. 1997)
Concept Author(s): G. Kittel, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: G. Kittel, M. Damm, L. Allen, J. Coles, M. Reid

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 09-26-14
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