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A3898 Argentina egedii - Calamagrostis nutkaensis - Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis Salt Marsh Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This alliance contains estuarine tidal marshes of Washington, Oregon and possibly British Columbia dominated by Argentina egedii, Calamagrostis nutkaensis, and/or Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis. Other associated species include Angelica lucida, Heracleum maximum, and Sidalcea hendersonii.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Pacific Silverweed - Pacific Reedgrass - Baltic Rush Salt Marsh Alliance

Colloquial Name: Pacific Silverweed Salt Marsh

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This alliance consists of estuarine high intertidal marshes dominated by the herbaceous species Argentina egedii, Calamagrostis nutkaensis, and/or Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis. Other associated species include Angelica lucida, Heracleum maximum, and Sidalcea hendersonii. It occurs in the transition zone between uplands and estuarine intertidal, along upper tidal river and stream reaches where salinities are low and tidal inundation is infrequent. It occurs along the western North American Pacific Coast north of California.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Brackish marshes dominated by species Argentina egedii with or without Calamagrostis nutkaensis and/or Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This alliance has not been well-documented and needs more information on the community ecology and distribution.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Herbaceous perennial marshes tidally flooded daily, not more than 1.5 m in height.

Floristics: This alliance is dominated by the herbaceous species Argentina egedii, Calamagrostis nutkaensis, and/or Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis (= Juncus balticus). Other associated species include Angelica lucida, Heracleum maximum, Sidalcea hendersonii, and the non-native Agrostis stolonifera.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  These occur at the transition zone between uplands and estuarine intertidal wetlands along upper tidal river and stream reaches where salinities are low and tidal inundation is infrequent. Water is brackish, and tidal influence occurs daily.
Geographic Range: This alliances is found along the coast of Washington, Oregon and possibly British Columbia.

Nations: CA?,US

States/Provinces:  BC?, OR, WA


Confidence Level: Moderate

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.5 Salt Marsh Formation F035 2.C.5
Division 2.C.5.Nc Temperate & Boreal Pacific Coastal Salt Marsh Division D035 2.C.5.Nc
Macrogroup 2.C.5.Nc.1 North American Pacific Coastal Salt Marsh Macrogroup M081 2.C.5.Nc.1
Group 2.C.5.Nc.1.a Lyngbye''s Sedge - Cosmopolitan Bulrush - Sea-milkwort Salt Marsh Group G499 2.C.5.Nc.1.a
Alliance A3898 Pacific Silverweed - Pacific Reedgrass - Baltic Rush Salt Marsh Alliance A3898 2.C.5.Nc.1.a
Association CEGL003288 Pacific Silverweed - Douglas'' Aster Salt Marsh CEGL003288 2.C.5.Nc.1.a
Association CEGL003382 Pacific Silverweed - Baltic Rush Salt Marsh CEGL003382 2.C.5.Nc.1.a
Association CEGL003421 Pacific Reedgrass - Pacific Silverweed - Baltic Rush Salt Marsh CEGL003421 2.C.5.Nc.1.a
Concept Lineage: A.2621 & A.2581

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 and M.S. Reid

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 09-26-14
  • 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.