Print Report

A3920 Ranunculus aquatilis - Callitriche palustris - Callitriche heterophylla Aquatic Vegetation Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This aquatic herbaceous alliance consists of floating communities dominated by Callitriche heterophylla, Callitriche palustris, Ranunculus aquatilis, and/or Ranunculus lobbii found throughout the western U.S. and western Canada in waterbodies that are generally shallow (<0.5 m), poorly oxygenated and nitrogen-rich.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Whitewater Crowfoot - Vernal Water-starwort - Greater Water-starwort Aquatic Vegetation Alliance

Colloquial Name: Whitewater Crowfoot - Water-starwort Aquatic Vegetation

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This aquatic herbaceous alliance consists of floating communities dominated by Callitriche heterophylla, Callitriche palustris, Ranunculus aquatilis, and/or Ranunculus lobbii. It is widespread in the western U.S. and western Canada and found in natural ponds, stockponds, ditches and slow-moving streams, at low-elevations (152-580 m [500-1900 feet]). The water at these sites is often poorly oxygenated and nitrogen-rich. Water depths are on average <0.5 m deep. Soils are organic oozes (Sapric Histosols), organic rich loams, silt, sandy loams or sands.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Freshwater ponds and other waterbodies with floating or submerged communities dominated by Callitriche heterophylla, Callitriche palustris, Ranunculus aquatilis, and/or Ranunculus lobbii.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: While the nominal species are well-documented, populations large enough to be called communities are much less widespread, and generally occur at lower elevations and under more restrictive conditions (for example, only in very slow-moving water). Should the reader have information or data available which verifies or describes either the association or the alliance, please provide that information to the Western Regional Ecologists.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Aquatic broad-leaved forbs that are mostly submerged. Only small parts reach the water surface. The small white flowers of Ranunculus, however, float on the water''s surface and are quite distinctive.

Floristics: Ponds may be a mix of species or monotypic stands of one of Callitriche heterophylla, Callitriche palustris, Ranunculus aquatilis, and/or Ranunculus lobbii. Common associated forbs include Cicuta douglasii, Oenanthe sarmentosa, Potamogeton natans, Ranunculus flammula, and Veronica scutellata. Common graminoids are Carex utriculata, Eleocharis palustris, Glyceria sp., and Torreyochloa pallida var. pauciflora.

Dynamics:  Slow-moving stable waters throughout the growing season allow larger communities to develop.
Environmental Description:  Freshwater ponds and other waterbodies, often poorly oxygenated and nitrogen-rich. Water depths are in average <0.5 m deep. Soils are organic oozes (Sapric Histosols), organic rich loams, silt, sandy loams or sands
Geographic Range: This alliance is found throughout freshwater shallow ponds in the western U.S. and Canada.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  AK?, BC, CA, CO, OR, WA


Confidence Level: Low

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR

Greasons: No Data Available
Type Name Database Code Classification Code
Class 5 Aquatic Vegetation Class C05 5
Subclass 5.B Freshwater Aquatic Vegetation Subclass S13 5.B
Formation 5.B.2 Temperate to Polar Freshwater Aquatic Vegetation Formation F057 5.B.2
Division 5.B.2.Na North American Freshwater Aquatic Vegetation Division D049 5.B.2.Na
Macrogroup 5.B.2.Na.2 Rocky Mountain Pond-lily - Pacific Mosquito Fern - Western Waterweed Western North American Freshwater Aquatic Vegetation Macrogroup M109 5.B.2.Na.2
Group 5.B.2.Na.2.a Pond-lily species - Pondweed species - Duckweed species Freshwater Aquatic Vegetation Group G544 5.B.2.Na.2.a
Alliance A3920 Whitewater Crowfoot - Vernal Water-starwort - Greater Water-starwort Aquatic Vegetation Alliance A3920 5.B.2.Na.2.a
Association CEGL001984 Whitewater Crowfoot - Vernal Water-starwort Aquatic Vegetation CEGL001984 5.B.2.Na.2.a
Association CEGL003301 Greater Water-starwort Aquatic Vegetation CEGL003301 5.B.2.Na.2.a
Association CEGL003307 Whitewater Crowfoot Aquatic Vegetation CEGL003307 5.B.2.Na.2.a
Association CEGL003308 Lobb''s Buttercup Aquatic Vegetation CEGL003308 5.B.2.Na.2.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 and M.S. Reid

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 03-14-14
  • 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.
  • Fuller, G. D. 1930. A comparison of certain Rocky Mountain grasslands with the prairie of Illinois. Transactions of the Illinois Academy of Science 8:121-130.
  • Robbins, W. W. 1918. Successions of vegetation in Boulder Park, Colorado. Botanical Gazette 65(6):493-525.