Print Report
A3925 Menyanthes trifoliata Aquatic Vegetation Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This is an herbaceous wetland and aquatic floating alliance dominated by Menyanthes trifoliata with occasional other species such as Carex arcta, Carex limosa, Carex utriculata, Eleocharis palustris, Nuphar polysepala, Potamogeton spp., and Utricularia macrorhiza. Stands grow where they are submerged through much of the year but may dry to the soil surface during the growing season. This alliance is known throughout the western U.S. and Canada.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Buckbean Aquatic Vegetation Alliance
Colloquial Name: Western Buckbean Aquatic Vegetation
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This wetland/aquatic herbaceous alliance can be a monotypic stand of Menyanthes trifoliata. Cover ranges from 10-100%. Commonly co-occurring species include Carex arcta, Carex limosa, Carex utriculata, Eleocharis palustris, Nuphar polysepala, Potamogeton spp., and Utricularia macrorhiza. Stands grow in perennially flooded depressions, on the edges of ponds and lakes. Sites are submerged through much of the year but may dry to the soil surface during the growing season. Water depths are shallow (<1 m). Soils can be silts or organic peats. It is known from Colorado and Wyoming west to California and Alaska.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Wetland or aquatic bed vegetation dominated by Menyanthes trifoliata.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This may be a single-association alliance, and if more information becomes available, we may want to include it with other common aquatic associates.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Aquatic herbaceous dicot up to 40 cm in height, rhizomatous, usually floating or emergent in shallow waterbodies but can be found temporarily standing without inundation.
Floristics: Stands can be a monotypic stand of Menyanthes trifoliata, or mixed with other species such as Carex arcta, Carex limosa, Carex utriculata, Eleocharis palustris, Nuphar polysepala, Potamogeton spp., and Utricularia macrorhiza. Canopy coverage is highly variable and can be as low as 10% or as high as 100%.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: It grows in perennially flooded or saturated depressions, on the edges of ponds and lakes, and occasionally along slackwater areas of low-gradient, slow-moving streams. Sites are submerged through much of the year but may dry to the soil surface during the growing season. Water depths average 10-35 cm. Rootmats 25-75 cm thick can form and anchor to the bottom or float. Soils can be silts or organic peats. Ponds and lakes where this alliance is found are in very low-gradient and wide valleys.
Geographic Range: This alliance is found throughout the western U.S. and western Canada.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: AK, BC, CA, CO, OR, WA, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899976
Confidence Level: Moderate
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 | A3925 Buckbean Aquatic Vegetation Alliance | A3925 | 5.B.2.Na.2.a |
| Association | CEGL003410 Buckbean Aquatic Vegetation | CEGL003410 | 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
- 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.