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A4061 Spartina spartinae - Schizachyrium scoparium - Liatris bracteata Saline Coastal Prairie Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This alliance includes grasslands on uplands in coastal areas of Texas where Schizachyrium scoparium, Schizachyrium littorale, Spartina spartinae, or Muhlenbergia capillaris are usually present and may dominate or codominate stands.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Gulf Cordgrass - Little Bluestem - Bracted Blazingstar Saline Coastal Prairie Alliance

Colloquial Name: Texas Coastal Saline Prairie

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This alliance occurs on uplands in coastal areas of Texas. Schizachyrium scoparium, Schizachyrium littorale, Spartina spartinae, or Muhlenbergia capillaris are usually present and may dominate or codominate stands. Other species include Eupatorium serotinum, Paspalum vaginatum, Palafoxia texana var. ambigua, and a diverse assemblage of others including Liatris bracteata, a rare plant and Texas endemic. Scattered shrubs, such as Prosopis glandulosa var. glandulosa and Baccharis halimifolia, can occur, especially as invaders as the result of overgrazing and/or fire suppression. Sparsely vegetated areas or "slicks" may occur, within this grassland matrix. Bare soil may comprise up to 75% of these areas. Characteristic vegetation in slicks may include Sporobolus pyramidatus, Iva angustifolia, Borrichia frutescens, and Texas endemics and rare plants Hymenoxys texana, Rayjacksonia aurea, Chloris texensis, and Thurovia triflora.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Combination of Spartina spartinae present with a mixture of other grasses and forbs, including Schizachyrium scoparium or Schizachyrium littorale and Muhlenbergia capillaris and other saline prairie indicators.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: There may be undescribed associations related to this alliance. More information is needed to flesh out detailed floristic, environment, and range.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This vegetation is a tall grassland that can have sparsely vegetated areas or "slicks" within the grassland matrix. Bare soil may comprise up to 75% of the slicks. Scattered shrubs can occur, especially as invaders as the result of overgrazing and/or fire suppression.

Floristics: This alliance includes grasslands on uplands in coastal areas of Texas where Schizachyrium scoparium, Schizachyrium littorale, Spartina spartinae, or Muhlenbergia capillaris are usually present and may dominate or codominate stands. Other species include Eupatorium serotinum, Paspalum vaginatum, Palafoxia texana var. ambigua, and a diverse assemblage of others including Liatris bracteata, a rare plant and Texas endemic. Scattered shrubs, such as Prosopis glandulosa var. glandulosa and Baccharis halimifolia, can occur, especially as invaders as the result of over-grazing and/or fire suppression. Sparsely vegetated areas or "slicks" may occur, within this grassland matrix. Bare soil may comprise up to 75% of these areas. Characteristic vegetation in slicks may include Sporobolus pyramidatus, Iva angustifolia, Borrichia frutescens, and Texas endemics and rare plants Hymenoxys texana, Rayjacksonia aurea (= Machaeranthera aurea), Chloris texensis, and Thurovia triflora.

Dynamics:  This alliance is maintained as a grassland by periodic fires. In the absence of these fires, it can succeed into a shrubland.
Environmental Description:  This alliance occurs on uplands in coastal areas of Texas. Infrequent storm surges supply salt which can then be concentrated in the soil through evaporation creating saline soil conditions and sometimes, sparsely vegetated areas or "slicks" within the grassland matrix. Bare soil may comprise up to 75% of slicks.
Geographic Range: This alliance is currently only known from the Coastal Prairie of Texas. It may also occur south into Mexico and north into Louisiana.

Nations: MX,US

States/Provinces:  LA?, MXTAM, 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.B Temperate & Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Subclass S18 2.B
Formation 2.B.4 Temperate to Polar Scrub & Herb Coastal Vegetation Formation F005 2.B.4
Division 2.B.4.Na Eastern North American Coastal Scrub & Herb Vegetation Division D026 2.B.4.Na
Macrogroup 2.B.4.Na.2 American Beachgrass - Sea-oats - Seaside Goldenrod Dune & Grassland Macrogroup M057 2.B.4.Na.2
Group 2.B.4.Na.2.a Wax-myrtle - Sea-oats - Shore Little Bluestem Dune & Grassland Group G494 2.B.4.Na.2.a
Alliance A4061 Gulf Cordgrass - Little Bluestem - Bracted Blazingstar Saline Coastal Prairie Alliance A4061 2.B.4.Na.2.a
Association CEGL002231 Gulf Cordgrass - Little Bluestem Grassland CEGL002231 2.B.4.Na.2.a
Association CEGL004607 Hair-awn Muhly Grassland CEGL004607 2.B.4.Na.2.a
Association CEGL004608 Gulf Cordgrass Grassland CEGL004608 2.B.4.Na.2.a
Association CEGL007761 Honey Mesquite / Gulf Cordgrass Shrubland CEGL007761 2.B.4.Na.2.a
Association CEGL007764 Florida Mayten - Creeping Mesquite / Saltmeadow Cordgrass Grassland CEGL007764 2.B.4.Na.2.a
Association CEGL007790 Honey Mesquite - Texas Prickly-pear - Bushy Seaside-tansy Shrubland CEGL007790 2.B.4.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
Concept Author(s): J. Teague, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: J. Teague

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 12-18-14
  • 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.
  • Gustafson, D. J., and P. M. Peterson. 2007. Re-examination of Muhlenbergia capillaris, M. expansa and M. sericea (Poaceae: Muhlenbergiinae). Journal Botanical Research Institute of Texas 1(1):85-89.