Classification of Vegetation Communities of Maryland: First Iteration

V. HERBACEOUS VEGETATION
V.A.5.N.k. Seasonally flooded temperate or subpolar grassland
V.A.5.N.k.11. FIMBRISTYLIS CASTANEA - SCHOENOPLECTUS PUNGENS
SEASONALLY FLOODED HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE
Chestnut Fimbry - Threesquare Seasonally Flooded Herbaceous Alliance

Concept: Wetlands dominated or codominated by Fimbristylis castanea that often occur in interdune swales. The general aspect and species composition of this vegetation are variable, not only among occurrences, but also over the course of the growing season. Documented from Assateague National Seashore, where it is typically characterized by dense Schoenoplectus pungens (= Scirpus pungens) (up to 80% cover). When Schoenoplectus pungens is not as dense, it is most often associated with an even mixture of Spartina patens or Fimbristylis castanea. In spring, Schoenoplectus pungens is generally dominant with few other associates except Eleocharis spp., imparting a distinct aerial photo signature. By late summer a number of other species, such as Fimbristylis castanea and Sabatia stellaris, contribute more substantial cover. Other herbs are sparse and contribute very little to the overall vegetative cover. These associated species include Andropogon virginicus, Eleocharis rostellata, Phragmites australis, Pluchea foetida, Juncus scirpoides, Hydrocotyle umbellata, Eleocharis parvula, Panicum amarum var. amarulum, Fimbristylis autumnalis, Sabatia stellaris, Ptilimnium capillaceum, and Juncus canadensis. Diagnostic species are Schoenoplectus pungens, Fimbristylis castanea, Eleocharis spp., and Juncus spp. There is usually standing water present in these swales in the spring. In Florida, these are early successional, interdune swales which are dominated by Fimbristylis castanea, sometimes monospecific, sometimes intermixed with Triglochin striata, Sesuvium portulacastrum, and Lilaeopsis carolinensis.

Range: This alliance is found in Florida, Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia. Its status in South Carolina and Georgia is unclear.

States/Provinces: FL GA? MD NC SC? VA

TNC Ecoregions: 53:C, 54:P, 55:P, 56:?, 57:C, 58:C

USFS Ecoregions: 232Bz:CCC, 232Cb:CC?, 232Ce:CCP, 232Ch:CC?, 232Ci:CC?, 232Db:CC?, 232Dc:CCC, 232De:CC?, 232Gb:C??

Federal Lands: NPS (Assateague Island)

Synonymy: Maritime Wet Grassland, in part (Schafale and Weakley 1990); Fresh marsh community, in part (Hill 1986); fresh marsh community, in part (Higgins et al. 1971); Scirpus-Hydrocotyle community (Tyndall and Levy 1978); Spartina-Scirpus community (Tyndall and Levy 1978); Juncus scirpoides-Scirpus pungens interdunal wetland association (McAvoy and Clancy 1994); wet community of barrier flats? (Travis and Godfrey 1976)

References: Au 1974, Higgins et al. 1971, Hill 1986, McAvoy and Clancy 1994, Sauer 1967, Schafale and Weakley 1990, Sneddon et al. 1996, Travis and Godfrey 1976, Tyndall and Levy 1978

Authors: ECS, MP, East Identifier: A.1372

Concept: This interdunal swale community of the Atlantic coast (Chesapeake and Delaware drainages) is characterized by dense cover of Schoenoplectus pungens (= Scirpus pungens) in association with Spartina patens and Fimbristylis castanea. There is usually standing water present in these swales in the spring, when Schoenoplectus pungens is generally dominant with few other associates except species of Eleocharis. By late summer a number of other species such as Fimbristylis castanea and Sabatia stellaris contribute more substantial cover. Other herbs contribute very little to the overall vegetative cover. These associated species include Andropogon virginicus, Eleocharis rostellata, Phragmites australis, Pluchea foetida, Juncus scirpoides, Hydrocotyle umbellata, Eleocharis parvula, Panicum amarum, Fimbristylis autumnalis, Sabatia stellaris, Ptilimnium capillaceum, Fuirena pumila, and Juncus canadensis. Diagnostic species are Schoenoplectus pungens and Fimbristylis castanea. Related vegetation of the Atlantic coast from North Carolina southward is accommodated under Fimbristylis castanea - Schoenoplectus pungens Seasonally Flooded Herbaceous Vegetation (CEGL003790).

Comments: This association is similar to Juncus (dichotomus, scirpoides) - Drosera intermedia Herbaceous Vegetation (CEGL004111) in environment, but lacks Xyris spp., Pogonia spp., and Lycopodiella appressa (= Lycopodium appressum). It may represent a successional phase or be slightly more brackish.

Range: Currently described from Maryland and Virginia.

States/Provinces: MD:S?, VA:S?

TNC Ecoregions: 58:C

USFS Ecoregions: 232Bz:CCC, 232Ci:CC?

Federal Lands: NPS (Assateague Island)

Synonymy: Fresh marsh community (Higgins et al. 1971) B. Assateague Island., Fresh marsh community (Hill 1986) B. Assateague Island., Scirpus-Hydrocotyle community (Tyndall and Levy 1978). Virginia., Spartina-Scirpus community (Tyndall and Levy 1978). Virginia., Juncus scirpoides-Scirpus pungens interdunal wetland association (McAvoy and Clancy 1994). Delaware., Wet community of barrier flats (Travis and Godfrey 1976) ?. North Carolina., Maritime Wet Grassland (Threesquare Subtype) (Schafale 2000)

References: Berdine 1998, Fleming 2001, Fleming et al. 2001, Higgins et al. 1971, Hill 1986, McAvoy and Clancy 1994, Peet et al. 2002, Schafale 2000, Sneddon et al. 1996, TNC 1995c, Travis and Godfrey 1976, Tyndall and Levy 1978

Authors: ECS Confidence: 2 Identifier: CEGL004117

- Maryland Vegetation Classification Subset Report V.A. Perennial graminoid vegetation

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