Print Report
A3928 Sagittaria latifolia Aquatic Vegetation Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This aquatic herbaceous alliance of emergent forbs is dominated by Sagittaria latifolia occupying seasonal pools and ponds from throughout the western U.S. and western Canada.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Broadleaf Arrowhead Aquatic Vegetation Alliance
Colloquial Name: Western Coastal Broadleaf Arrowhead Aquatic Vegetation
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This aquatic herbaceous alliance is dominated by the emergent forb Sagittaria latifolia. Stands are usually diverse with several associated species such as Bidens cernua, Eleocharis ovata, Eleocharis palustris, Leersia oryzoides, Potamogeton natans, Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani, or Sparganium angustifolium. Stands occur from sea level to 152 m (500 feet) in elevation and are known from western coastal U.S. and British Columbia. The habitat is seasonal pools, ponds, sloughs, and freshwater tidal mudflats.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Aquatic bed vegetation dominated by Sagittaria latifolia.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Sagittaria latifolia was a well-documented staple food of the Kalapuya and Chinook people and intensively managed (Darby 1996, Boyd 1999). It was probably widespread on floodplains in the Willamette Valley but has become rare because of loss of pond and slough habitats to flood control, agriculture, urban development, and invasion by Phalaris arundinacea. The largest populations remaining in the region occur on Sauvie Island.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Herbaceous broad-leaved perennial forbs up to 1 m in height.
Floristics: This aquatic herbaceous alliance is dominated by the emergent forb Sagittaria latifolia. Stands are usually diverse with several associated species such as Bidens cernua, Eleocharis ovata, Eleocharis palustris, Leersia oryzoides, Potamogeton natans, Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani, or Sparganium angustifolium.
Dynamics: Stands are flooded early in the season and may dry out as summer progresses, or may remain flooded throughout the growing season; some are irrigated by daily tides. Sagittaria latifolia was a well-documented staple food of the Kalapuya and Chinook people and intensively managed (Darby 1996, Boyd 1999). It was probably widespread on floodplains in the Willamette Valley but has become rare because of loss of pond and slough habitats to flood control, agriculture, urban development, and invasion by Phalaris arundinacea. The largest populations remaining in the region occur on Sauvie Island.
Environmental Description: Stands occur from sea level to 152 m (500 feet) in elevation in seasonal pools, ponds, sloughs, and freshwater tidal mudflats.
Geographic Range: This alliance occurs at low elevations of coastal California, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: BC, CA, OR, WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899979
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 | A3928 Broadleaf Arrowhead Aquatic Vegetation Alliance | A3928 | 5.B.2.Na.2.a |
| Association | CEGL003321 Broadleaf Arrowhead Aquatic Vegetation | CEGL003321 | 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
- Boyd, R. 1999. Strategies of Indian burning in the Willamette Valley. Pages 94-138 in: R. Boyd, editor. Indians, fire, and the land in the Pacific Northwest. Oregon State University Press, Corvallis. 313 pp.
- Darby, M. C. 1996. Wapato for the people: An ecological approach to understanding the Native American use of Sagittaria latifolia on the lower Columbia River. M.A. thesis, Portland State University, Portland, OR. 136 pp.
- 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.