Print Report

A3957 Spartina spartinae - Sporobolus virginicus - Monanthochloe littoralis Intertidal Salt Marsh Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This alliance includes irregularly tidally flooded marshes dominated by Spartina spartinae known from the Gulf Coast of the Florida Keys to Texas and Tamaulipas, Mexico, as well as upper tidal areas strongly dominated by Monanthochloe littoralis, a slightly woody short grass.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Gulf Cordgrass - Seashore Dropseed - Shoregrass Intertidal Salt Marsh Alliance

Colloquial Name: Gulf Coast Cordgrass - Dropseed - Shoregrass Intertidal Salt Marsh

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This alliance occurs from the Gulf Coast of Texas to the Florida Keys and includes irregularly tidally flooded marshes dominated by Spartina spartinae, as well as upper tidal areas strongly dominated by Monanthochloe littoralis, a slightly woody short grass. Scattered patches of other halophytic species are present, including Batis maritima, Lycium carolinianum, Sarcocornia perennis, and Sporobolus virginicus. The Spartina spartinae and Monanthochloe littoralis marshes occur in areas that are generally somewhat hypersaline from evaporation of seawater after storm surges or exceptionally high tides. These are distinguished from non-tidal (and usually taller) inland Spartina spartinae marshes. Other species present can include Borrichia frutescens, Distichlis spicata, Monanthochloe littoralis, and Suaeda linearis. Examples of this alliance are known from the Gulf Coast, with the exception of Louisiana. It could extend farther south into Mexico, and could possibly exist in the Chenier Plain of Louisiana.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Mississippi occurrences of Spartina spartinae marshes would be of minor extent. These tidal Spartina spartinae marshes are distinguished from non-tidal (and usually taller) inland Spartina spartinae marshes.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: This alliance includes irregularly tidally flooded marshes dominated by Spartina spartinae. Other species present in these Spartina spartinae marshes can include Batis maritima, Borrichia frutescens, Distichlis spicata, Monanthochloe littoralis, Sporobolus virginicus, and Suaeda linearis. It also includes upper tidal areas strongly dominated by Monanthochloe littoralis, a slightly woody short grass. Scattered patches of other halophytic species are present here, including Batis maritima, Lycium carolinianum, Sarcocornia perennis, and Sporobolus virginicus.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  The Spartina spartinae marshes consist of irregularly tidally flooded marshes that are generally at least somewhat hypersaline from evaporation. The Monanthochloe littoralis vegetation occurs in hypersaline conditions on the upper reaches of the tidal flats or salt flats above the normal high tide and is usually only inundated by the highest lunar, wind or storm tides.
Geographic Range: This alliance is found in Florida, Texas, the Mexican state of Tamaulipas, and possibly elsewhere. It could extend farther south into Mexico, and could possibly exist in the Chenier Plain of Louisiana.

Nations: MX,US

States/Provinces:  AL, FL, LA?, MS, MXTAM, TX


Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented

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.Nb North American Atlantic & Gulf Coastal Salt Marsh Division D034 2.C.5.Nb
Macrogroup 2.C.5.Nb.1 North American Atlantic & Gulf Coastal Salt Marsh Macrogroup M079 2.C.5.Nb.1
Group 2.C.5.Nb.1.b Saltwort species - Swampfire species - Gulf Cordgrass Tidal Flat & Panne Group G123 2.C.5.Nb.1.b
Alliance A3957 Gulf Cordgrass - Seashore Dropseed - Shoregrass Intertidal Salt Marsh Alliance A3957 2.C.5.Nb.1.b
Association CEGL003991 Shoregrass Salt Marsh CEGL003991 2.C.5.Nb.1.b
Association CEGL004199 Gulf Cordgrass - Seashore Dropseed Tidal Salt Marsh CEGL004199 2.C.5.Nb.1.b
Association CEGL004614 Gulf Cordgrass - Shoregrass - Annual Seepweed Salt Marsh CEGL004614 2.C.5.Nb.1.b
Concept Lineage: A.1179 (one of one); A.1483 (two of two).

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
Concept Author(s): M. Pyne, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: M. Pyne

Acknowledgements: We have incorporated significant descriptive information previously compiled by Alan Weakley.

Version Date: 01-08-14
  • Diamond, D. D. 1993. Classification of the plant communities of Texas (series level). Unpublished document. Texas Natural Heritage Program, Austin. 25 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.
  • Ross, M. S., J. J. O''Brien, and L. J. Flynn. 1992. Ecological site classification of Florida Keys terrestrial habitats. Biotropica 24:488-502.