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Vegetation Classification and Mapping Project Report - USGS

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<strong>USGS</strong>-NPS <strong>Vegetation</strong> <strong>Mapping</strong> Program<br />

Colonial National Historical Park<br />

forms narrow b<strong>and</strong>s under freshwater conditions, Schoenoplectus pungens (common threesquare)<br />

or Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani (softstem bulrush) typically attains high cover <strong>and</strong> density.<br />

Eleocharis quadrangulata (squarestem spikerush) <strong>and</strong> Pontederia cordata (pickerelweed) are<br />

codominant; common associates include Leersia oryzoides (rice cutgrass), Polygonum punctatum<br />

(dotted smartweed), Polygonum arifolium (halberdleaf tearthumb), Zizania aquatica (annual<br />

wildrice), Bidens laevis (smooth beggartick), Asclepias incarnata (swamp milkweed),<br />

Amaranthus cannabinus (tidalmarsh amaranth), Impatiens capensis (jewelweed), Nuphar lutea<br />

ssp. advena (yellow pond-lily), Dulichium arundinaceum (threeway sedge), Sagittaria latifolia<br />

(broadleaf arrowhead), Galium obtusum (bluntleaf bedstraw), <strong>and</strong> the exotic Murdannia keisak<br />

(wartremoving herb). In rare instances Schoenoplectus fluviatilis (river bulrush) or<br />

Schoenoplectus americanus (chairmaker's bulrush) may share dominance. Oligohaline variants<br />

are typically less diverse <strong>and</strong> more sparsely vegetated, although Schoenoplectus pungens<br />

(common threesquare) or Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani (softstem bulrush) may attain high<br />

cover. Characteristic associates include Polygonum punctatum (dotted smartweed), Zizania<br />

aquatica (annual wildrice), Echinochloa walteri (coast cockspur grass), Hibiscus moscheutos<br />

ssp. moscheutos (crimsoneyed rosemallow), Leersia oryzoides (rice cutgrass), Pluchea odorata<br />

(sweetscent), Amaranthus cannabinus (tidalmarsh amaranth), Rumex verticillatus (swamp dock),<br />

<strong>and</strong> Pontederia cordata (pickerelweed).<br />

Most Abundant Species:<br />

Stratum Lifeform<br />

Species<br />

Herb (field) Forb<br />

Pelt<strong>and</strong>ra virginica (green arrow arum)<br />

Characteristic Species: Pelt<strong>and</strong>ra virginica (green arrow arum), Schoenoplectus pungens<br />

(common threesquare), Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani (softstem bulrush).<br />

Other Noteworthy Species: Information not available.<br />

USFWS Wetl<strong>and</strong> System: Estuarine.<br />

DISTRIBUTION<br />

Range: This association has been documented from several tidal river systems in Virginia. Its<br />

potential occurrence outside Virginia has not been evaluated.<br />

States/Provinces: VA.<br />

Federal L<strong>and</strong>s: NPS (Colonial).<br />

CONSERVATION STATUS<br />

Rank: GNR (2-Jun-2007).<br />

Reasons: Information not available.<br />

CLASSIFICATION INFORMATION<br />

Status: Provisional.<br />

Confidence: 3 - Weak.<br />

Comments: This community exhibits considerable variation in composition <strong>and</strong> structure,<br />

largely as functions of prevailing salinity <strong>and</strong> hydroperiod. Schoenoplectus pungens (common<br />

threesquare) Tidal Herbaceous <strong>Vegetation</strong> (CEGL004188) forms similarly narrow patches <strong>and</strong><br />

occupies similar habitats along channel margins, as do freshwater variants of this association, but<br />

is typically much less diverse <strong>and</strong> is restricted to gravelly or otherwise coarse-textured substrates<br />

on shorelines frequently subject to ice-scour. Pelt<strong>and</strong>ra virginica - Pontederia cordata Tidal<br />

Herbaceous <strong>Vegetation</strong> (CEGL004706) occurs in similarly low l<strong>and</strong>scape positions, often<br />

adjacent to open water, but generally lacks emergent graminoids (Schoenoplectus spp.<br />

(bulrushs), Eleocharis quadrangulata (squarestem spikerush)) as important associates, <strong>and</strong><br />

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