Print Report
A3926 Nuphar polysepala Western Aquatic Vegetation Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance is composed of floating aquatic herbaceous vegetation dominated by Nuphar polysepala, found in ponds, lakes, deeper beaver ponds, and glacial kettle lakes, from sea level to 2410 m (7900 feet) in elevation throughout the western U.S. and western Canada.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Rocky Mountain Pond-lily Western Aquatic Vegetation Alliance
Colloquial Name: Western Pond-lily Aquatic Vegetation
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance is composed of floating aquatic herbaceous vegetation where Nuphar polysepala is often the only species present. Cover is continuous, intermittent or open. Other aquatic and emergent herbs present may include species of Carex, Eleocharis, Equisetum, Glyceria, Lemna, Menyanthes, Potamogeton, and Typha. Many of these associates are in shallower, adjacent water. It occurs on permanently flooded ponds, lakes, deeper beaver ponds, and glacial kettle lakes, from sea level to 2410 m (7900 feet) in elevation. Soils are usually organic Histosols, on anoxic muck or peat. Water depths range from 40 to 200 cm (1.25-6.5 feet). Stands can completely fill smaller ponds, or occurrences may be only as large as the water depth allows, and are part of a larger mosaic of other freshwater emergent marsh communities.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Aquatic bed vegetation dominated by native western Nuphar polysepala.
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 consists of communities dominated by floating, rooted aquatic forbs with broad flat leaves.
Floristics: Stands are dominated by hydromorphic-rooted aquatic Nuphar polysepala (= Nuphar lutea ssp. polysepala)a. Cover is continuous, intermittent or open. Emergent vegetation is less than 25%, and typically plant species diversity is low. Other aquatic and emergent herbs present may include Brasenia schreberi, Utricularia spp., and Potamogeton spp., as well as species of Carex, Eleocharis, Equisetum, Glyceria, Lemna, Menyanthes, Potamogeton, and Typha. Many of these associates are in shallower, adjacent water.
Dynamics: Stands have been observed where water levels fluctuate seasonally, leaving Nuphar high and dry on exposed mudflats, especially in drought years.
Environmental Description: This aquatic alliance occurs in a variety of shallow ponds and lakes and slow-moving waterbodies such as rivers, millponds, blackwater sloughs, streams, or on shores of deeper waterbodies, including freshwater tidal areas. The water depth is generally greater than 0.5 m and up to 2 m. Stands are permanently to semipermanently flooded. These communities have been found at elevations as low as sea level and as high as 2800 m.
Geographic Range: This alliance is found throughout the western U.S. and Canada.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: BC, CA, CO, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899977
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 | A3926 Rocky Mountain Pond-lily Western Aquatic Vegetation Alliance | A3926 | 5.B.2.Na.2.a |
| Association | CEGL002001 Rocky Mountain Pond-lily Aquatic Vegetation | CEGL002001 | 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: = Nuphar lutea (Yellow pond-lily mats) Provisional Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [52.110.00]
= Nuphar lutea Provisional Herbaceous Alliance (CNPS 2017) [52.110.00]
= Nuphar lutea Provisional Herbaceous Alliance (CNPS 2017) [52.110.00]
- CNPS [California Native Plant Society]. 2015-2017. A manual of California vegetation [online]. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA. [http://vegetation.cnps.org/].
- 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.
- Kovalchik, B. L. 1993. Riparian plant associations on the national forests of eastern Washington - Draft version 1. USDA Forest Service, Colville National Forest, Colville, WA. 203 pp.
- Marr, J. W., D. M. Armstrong, H. Chronic, J. Chronic, R. W. Pennak, W. A. Weber, R. E. Marr, D. Steward, and J. C. Meyer. 1980. Natural landmarks of the southern Rocky Mountain region. Unpublished report prepared for USDI Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service, Denver, CO, by Thorne Ecological Institute, Boulder, CO. 736 pp.
- Ramaley, F. 1909. The silva of Colorado. IV. Forest formations and forest trees. University of Colorado Studies 6:249-281.
- Sawyer, J. O., T. Keeler-Wolf, and J. Evens. 2009. A manual of California vegetation. Second edition. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento CA. 1300 pp.
- Sawyer, J. O., and T. Keeler-Wolf. 1995. A manual of California vegetation. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento. 471 pp.