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A4015 Typha domingensis - Eleocharis rostellata Gulf Coastal Plain Oligohaline Tidal Marsh Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This provisional alliance comprises two poorly described oligohaline tidal marsh associations of the Gulf Coastal Plain. Eleocharis rostellata and Typha domingensis are two characteristic species.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Southern Cattail - Beaked Spikerush Gulf Coastal Plain Oligohaline Tidal Marsh Alliance

Colloquial Name: Gulf Coastal Plain Oligohaline Tidal Marsh

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This provisional alliance comprises two poorly described oligohaline tidal marsh associations of the Gulf Coastal Plain. Eleocharis rostellata and Typha domingensis are two characteristic species, with Rhynchospora colorata and Rhynchospora microcarpa. This type typically consists of nearly pure stands of Typha domingensis, in deeply flooded tidal estuarine waters, with the substrate rarely exposed. This alliance also includes a tidal marsh community dominated by Eleocharis rostellata, Rhynchospora colorata, and Rhynchospora microcarpa which occupies small-scale openings in Juncus roemerianus marshes along the northern Gulf of Mexico. Infrequent tidal flooding and calcareous conditions are key environmental characteristics of this community, which is known from Panhandle Florida and southern coastal Baldwin County, Alabama. More information is needed on both of these component alliances.

Diagnostic Characteristics: These are oligohaline tidal marshes of the Gulf Coastal Plain; the presence of Typha domingensis and Eleocharis rostellata is diagnostic.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Much more data are needed to classify this alliance and its component associations.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Eleocharis rostellata and Typha domingensis are two characteristic species. Stands are dominated by mixtures of low-statured graminoids, or by Typha.

Floristics: Eleocharis rostellata and Typha domingensis are two characteristic species, with Rhynchospora colorata and Rhynchospora microcarpa. This alliance includes oligohaline tidal marsh communities from Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Texas which are dominated by Typha domingensis. This type typically consists of nearly pure stands of Typha domingensis, in deeply flooded tidal estuarine waters, with the substrate rarely exposed. This alliance also includes a tidal marsh community dominated by Eleocharis rostellata, Rhynchospora colorata, and Rhynchospora microcarpa which occupies small-scale openings in Juncus roemerianus marshes along the northern Gulf of Mexico.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  This alliance contains oligohaline tidal marsh communities. Infrequent tidal flooding and calcareous conditions are key environmental characteristics of this community, which is known from Panhandle Florida and southern coastal Baldwin County, Alabama.
Geographic Range: This alliance occurs on the Gulf Coastal Plain from Florida to Texas. It is currently documented from Alabama, Florida, and Texas. It probably occurs in Mississippi and its status in Louisiana is unknown.

Nations: US

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


Confidence Level: Low

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.4 Temperate to Polar Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Formation F013 2.C.4
Division 2.C.4.Ne Atlantic & Gulf Coastal Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Division D322 2.C.4.Ne
Macrogroup 2.C.4.Ne.1 Annual Wild Rice - Saltmeadow Cordgrass - Pickerelweed Fresh-Oligohaline Tidal Marsh Macrogroup M066 2.C.4.Ne.1
Group 2.C.4.Ne.1.b <i>Zizaniopsis milacea - Spartina patens - Panicum hemotimon</i> Freshwater Tidal Marsh Group G913 2.C.4.Ne.1.b
Alliance A4015 Southern Cattail - Beaked Spikerush Gulf Coastal Plain Oligohaline Tidal Marsh Alliance A4015 2.C.4.Ne.1.b
Association CEGL004951 Beaked Spikerush - Star-rush Whitetop - Southern Beaksedge Tidal Marsh CEGL004951 2.C.4.Ne.1.b
Association CEGL007235 Southern Cattail - American Cupscale - Bull-tongue Arrowhead Marsh CEGL007235 2.C.4.Ne.1.b
Association CEGL007888 Saltmeadow Cordgrass - Hairy-pod Cowpea Mississippi River Deltaic Plain Tidal Marsh CEGL007888 2.C.4.Ne.1.b
Association CEGL008456 Southern Cattail Tidal Marsh CEGL008456 2.C.4.Ne.1.b
Concept Lineage: This alliance includes associations which were in the old alliances A.1472 (1/4), A.1474 (1/5); moved to G110 from G120.

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Cattail Community Type (Odum et al. 1984)
Concept Author(s): L. Sneddon, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: L. Sneddon and M. Pyne

Acknowledgements: We have incorporated significant information developed and compiled by A.S. Weakley and by the Eastern Ecology Group of NatureServe.

Version Date: 12-18-14
  • 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.
  • Odum, W. E., T. J. Smith, III, J. K. Hoover, and C. C. McIvor. 1984. The ecology of tidal freshwater marshes of the United States east coast: A community profile. FWS/OBS-83/17. USDI Fish & Wildlife Service, Office of Biological Services, Washington, DC. 176 pp.