Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Steeplebush - Blackberry species Ruderal Wet Shrubland Alliance

Colloquial Name: Ruderal Steeplebush - Blackberry Wet Shrubland

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This wet meadow vegetation of the northeastern states is complex and variable, ranging from shrub thicket to herbaceous meadow with scattered shrubs. Shrub species usually include Spiraea tomentosa, Spiraea alba var. alba, Cornus amomum, Rubus allegheniensis, Rubus hispidus, Salix spp., and others. Hypericum densiflorum often occurs in the Central Appalachians. The invasive exotic shrubs Lonicera morrowii and Rosa multiflora may be locally abundant. Associated herbaceous species are also variable in composition, depending on land-use history. Commonly seen are Calamagrostis canadensis, Carex folliculata, Carex lupulina, Carex lurida, Carex scoparia, Carex trichocarpa, Carex vulpinoidea, Eleocharis spp., Eupatorium maculatum, Impatiens capensis, Juncus effusus, Leersia oryzoides, Lycopus uniflorus, Onoclea sensibilis, Phalaris arundinacea, Polygonum sagittatum, Scirpus cyperinus, Scirpus expansus, Solidago canadensis, Solidago gigantea, Solidago rugosa, Thelypteris palustris, Triadenum virginicum, Vernonia noveboracensis, and others. The invasive species Microstegium vimineum, Lythrum salicaria, and Phragmites australis can be abundant or form monocultures in these wetlands. Successional wet meadows in the Atlantic Coastal Plain of New Jersey can include scattered patches of Liquidambar styraciflua and Morella pensylvanica, and more predominantly grassy patches of Andropogon virginicus, Panicum rigidulum, Panicum virgatum, and Spiraea tomentosa. The alliance occurs in a variety of settings, most frequently in low-lying areas of old fields or pastures, headwater basins, or beaver-impacted wetlands.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Disturbed, wet meadow sites with >25% cover by Spiraea tomentosa, Spiraea alba, Cornus amomum, Rubus spp., and Salix spp., and with a herbaceous layer strongly dominated by exotic or invasive native species.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This alliance is poorly described and physiognomically variable and shares several common species with other natural and ruderal alliances. It appears that some stands of this alliance are similar to shrubby versions of ~Lythrum salicaria Ruderal Marsh Alliance (A3030)$$, ~Phalaris arundinacea Eastern Ruderal Marsh Alliance (A1381)$$, or ~Phragmites australis ssp. australis Ruderal Marsh Alliance (A1431)$$. Better differential species, physiognomic parameters, or environmental conditions are needed in comparison to other ruderal wet meadow alliances, in particular.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available

note: No Data Available