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A4115 Panicum virgatum - Andropogon glomeratus Riverscour Wet Meadow Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This herbaceous alliance is found in southern Texas along streams that are periodically scoured by flooding and have an open to dense herbaceous stratum dominated by Andropogon glomeratus var. pumilus, Cladium mariscus ssp. jamaicense, Fuirena simplex, Panicum virgatum, and Rhynchospora colorata.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Switchgrass - Bushy Bluestem Riverscour Wet Meadow Alliance

Colloquial Name: Edwards Plateau Riverscour Wet Meadow

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This herbaceous alliance is found along streams in southern Texas. The herbaceous stratum varies in density from very open to dense. Herbs are rooted in cracks and in soil mats, and characteristic species are Andropogon glomeratus var. pumilus, Cladium mariscus ssp. jamaicense, Fuirena simplex, Panicum virgatum, and Rhynchospora colorata. Other species may include Arundo donax, Bothriochloa ischaemum var. songarica (exotic), Eleocharis geniculata, Eleocharis montevidensis, Eupatorium serotinum, Indigofera lindheimeriana, Polanisia dodecandra, Ratibida columnifera, Schizachyrium scoparium, Senna lindheimeriana, and Solidago altissima. Woody shrubs and trees may occur as scattered individuals and may include Baccharis neglecta, Baccharis salicifolia, Chilopsis linearis, Juglans microcarpa, Platanus occidentalis, and Salix nigra. This community occurs on periodically scoured flat-bedded limestone shores of perennial streams.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Periodically scoured herbaceous-dominated limestone streambeds in the Edwards Plateau and Stockton Plateau.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This alliance is based on a single association which is known only from Texas.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This alliance has an open to dense herbaceous layer composed of species up to 1.5 m. Shrubs and trees are absent or occur as scattered individuals.

Floristics: The characteristic species of the dominant herbaceous stratum are Andropogon glomeratus var. pumilus, Cladium mariscus ssp. jamaicense, Fuirena simplex, Panicum virgatum, and Rhynchospora colorata (= Dichromena colorata). Other species may include Arundo donax, Bothriochloa ischaemum var. songarica (exotic), Eleocharis geniculata (= Eleocharis caribaea), Eleocharis montevidensis, Eupatorium serotinum, Indigofera lindheimeriana, Polanisia dodecandra, Ratibida columnifera, Schizachyrium scoparium, Senna lindheimeriana, and Solidago altissima. Woody shrubs and trees may occur as scattered individuals, and may include Baccharis neglecta, Baccharis salicifolia, Chilopsis linearis, Juglans microcarpa, Platanus occidentalis, and Salix nigra.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  This alliance occurs on periodically scoured flat-bedded limestone shores of perennial streams in southern Texas. Most patches are less than 1 ha.
Geographic Range: This alliance is known from the Edwards Plateau and Stockton Plateau of Texas. It may extend into northern Mexico.

Nations: MX?,US

States/Provinces:  MXCOA?, 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.Nd Eastern North American Temperate Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Division D323 2.C.4.Nd
Macrogroup 2.C.4.Nd.5 Prairie Cordgrass - Cattail species - Bulrush species Great Plains Marsh, Wet Meadow, Shrubland & Playa Macrogroup M071 2.C.4.Nd.5
Group 2.C.4.Nd.5.d Sandbar Willow / Sand Dropseed - Field Sagewort Riverscour Group G568 2.C.4.Nd.5.d
Alliance A4115 Switchgrass - Bushy Bluestem Riverscour Wet Meadow Alliance A4115 2.C.4.Nd.5.d
Association CEGL004928 Switchgrass - Bushy Bluestem - Swamp Sawgrass Wet Meadow CEGL004928 2.C.4.Nd.5.d
Concept Lineage: This alliance is composed of one association from old A.1343.

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
Concept Author(s): A.S. Weakley, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2014)

Author of Description: J. Drake

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

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.