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A4016 Eleocharis fallax - Osmunda regalis Oligohaline Tidal Marsh Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This alliance comprises vegetation of oligohaline marshes in which wind effects may enhance irregular tidal flooding. Eleocharis fallax and/or Osmunda regalis are constant species, but are generally accompanied by a number of other species of oligohaline marshes. This alliance ranges from the Delmarva peninsula south to North Carolina.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Creeping Spikerush - Royal Fern Oligohaline Tidal Marsh Alliance

Colloquial Name: Oligohaline Wind-Tidal Marsh

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This alliance comprises vegetation of oligohaline marshes in which wind effects may enhance irregular tidal flooding. Eleocharis fallax and/or Osmunda regalis are constant species, but are generally accompanied by a number of other species of oligohaline marshes. Associates may include Carex hyalinolepis, Schoenoplectus pungens, Spartina pectinata, Typha angustifolia, Thelypteris palustris, and others. This alliance ranges from the Delmarva peninsula south to North Carolina.

Diagnostic Characteristics: The presence of Eleocharis fallax and/or Osmunda regalis in oligohaline tidal marshes is diagnostic; the flooding is usually influenced by wind tidal effects.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: More data are required to determine whether wind-tidal processes separate these marshes from other irregularly flooded oligohaline marshes. One association (CEGL004189) may in fact not be influenced by wind, but lacks descriptive data to suggest otherwise, and was included here base on the presence of Osmunda regalis. The presence of Juncus roemerianus in CEGL004660 is noted to be a possible relict from a formerly brackish tidal situation.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Stands of this alliance are dominated by a variety of wetland graminoids, forbs, and ferns, in freshwater tidal areas.

Floristics: Eleocharis fallax and/or Osmunda regalis are constant species, but are generally accompanied by a number of other species of oligohaline marshes. Associates may include Carex hyalinolepis, Schoenoplectus pungens, Spartina pectinata, Typha angustifolia, Thelypteris palustris, and others.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  In these oligohaline tidal marshes, the flooding is usually influenced by wind tidal effects.
Geographic Range: This alliance ranges from the Delmarva peninsula south to North Carolina.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  DE?, MD, NC, VA


Confidence Level: Moderate

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.c <i>Zizania aquatica - Spartina patens - Amaranthus cannabinus</i> Freshwater Tidal Marsh Group G914 2.C.4.Ne.1.c
Alliance A4016 Creeping Spikerush - Royal Fern Oligohaline Tidal Marsh Alliance A4016 2.C.4.Ne.1.c
Association CEGL004189 Common Threesquare - (Royal Fern) Tidal Marsh CEGL004189 2.C.4.Ne.1.c
Association CEGL004314 Upright Sedge - Green Arrow-arum - (Bull-tongue Arrowhead, Broadleaf Arrowhead) Tidal Marsh CEGL004314 2.C.4.Ne.1.c
Association CEGL004628 Creeping Spikerush - Beaked Spikerush - Chairmaker''s Bulrush - Bull-tongue Arrowhead Tidal Marsh CEGL004628 2.C.4.Ne.1.c
Association CEGL004660 Black Needlerush - Pickerelweed Tidal Marsh CEGL004660 2.C.4.Ne.1.c
Association CEGL007741 Big Cordgrass - Switchgrass - Lanceleaf Fogfruit Salt Marsh CEGL007741 2.C.4.Ne.1.c
Concept Lineage: The associations in this alliance come from old alliances A.1474 (1/5), A.1475 (1/5), A.1478 (1/3). A.1703 (1/9 ) in part; moved to G110 from G120.

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

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

Author of Description: L. Sneddon and M. Pyne

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

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.