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Classification of Vegetation Communities of Maryland: First Iteration
A Subset of the International Classification of Ecological
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V. HERBACEOUS
VEGETATION Concept: This alliance includes associations of freshwater tidal marsh dominated by Acorus calamus that occur in fresh to oligohaline reaches of tidal rivers along the Atlantic coast. This association is best developed in higher, irregularly flooded elevations within freshwater tidal marshes but can occur in areas with a wide tidal range. Substrate is generally fine-particled, but varies from silts and silty mucks to peats and sands. The setting within the tidal marsh tends to be poorly drained; tidal flooding is ponded and of longer duration than other areas. Acorus calamus is dominant, generally comprising at least 50% cover, over extensive patches within the interior of high marshes. Associated species are variable and can include Schoenoplectus fluviatilis, Peltandra virginica, Sagittaria latifolia, Polygonum punctatum, and Impatiens capensis. Species that can occasionally occur include Pontederia cordata, Zizania aquatica, Leersia oryzoides, Typha latifolia, Polygonum arifolium, Bidens coronata, Hibiscus moscheutos, and other Schoenoplectus spp. Murdannia keisak has been noted in the southern portion of the range. Acorus calamus is conspicuously dominant in spring and early summer. Later in the season, culms tend to lodge and form mats and be overtopped by other species. Range: This alliance is currently described from Massachusetts to Virginia. States/Provinces: CT DE MA MD NJ VA TNC Ecoregions: 58:C, 62:C USFS Ecoregions: 221Ad:CCC, 221Af:CCP, 221Ak:CCC, 232Ac:CCC, 232Ad:CCP, 232Br:CCC, 232Bt:CCC, 232Bx:CCC References: Barrett 1989, Barrett 1994, Caldwell 1990, Coulling 2002, Harrison 2001, McCormick and Ashbaugh 1972, Odum et al. 1984 Authors: S.L. NEID, East Identifier: A.3018 ACORUS CALAMUS TIDAL HERBACEOUS VEGETATION Sweetflag Tidal Herbaceous Vegetation G? (02-05-10) Concept: This is an association of tidal freshwater marsh dominated by Acorus calamus that occurs in fresh to oligohaline reaches of tidal rivers along the Atlantic coast from Massachusetts to Virginia. This association is best developed in higher, irregularly flooded elevations within freshwater tidal marshes but can occur in areas with a wide tidal range. Substrate is generally fine-particled, but varies from silts and silty mucks to peats and sands. The setting within the tidal marsh tends to be poorly drained; tidal flooding is ponded and of longer duration than other areas. Acorus calamus is dominant, generally comprising at least 50% cover, over extensive patches within the interior of high marshes. Associated species are variable and can include Schoenoplectus fluviatilis, Peltandra virginica, Sagittaria latifolia, Polygonum punctatum, and Impatiens capensis. Species that can occasionally occur include Pontederia cordata, Zizania aquatica, Leersia oryzoides, Typha latifolia, Polygonum arifolium, Bidens coronata, Hibiscus moscheutos, and other Schoenoplectus spp. Murdannia keisak has been noted in the southern portion of the range. Acorus calamus is conspicuously dominant in spring and early summer. Later in the season, culms tend to lodge and form mats and be overtopped by other species. Comments: This vegetation is considered a modified type by the Delaware Natural Heritage Program. Although the native status of Acorus calamus has been debated, North American specimens are apparently sterile triploids introduced from Europe (Coulling 2002). Range: Currently described from Massachusetts to Virginia. States/Provinces: CT:S?, DE:S?, MA:S1, MD:S4?, NJ:S?, VA:S? TNC Ecoregions: 58:C, 62:C USFS Ecoregions: 221Ad:CCC, 221Af:CCP, 221Ak:CCC, 232Ac:CCC, 232Ad:CCP, 232Br:CCC, 232Bt:CCC, 232Bx:CCC References: Barrett 1989, Barrett 1994, Caldwell 1990, Coulling 2002, Fleming 2001, Harrison 2001, McCormick and Ashbaugh 1972, Metzler and Barrett 2001, Odum et al. 1984 Authors: S.L. Neid, ECS Confidence: 2 Identifier: CEGL006833
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This Page Up-dated on April 27, 2010