Ohio subset of Plant Communities of the Midwest ... - NatureServe

Seeps: Midwestern Seepage Meadows
Symplocarpus foetidus Herbaceous Vegetation
Skunk-cabbage Herbaceous Vegetation
Skunk Cabbage Seepage Meadow
CEGL002385
DESCRIPTION: This is an herbaceous-dominated community. Tree and shrub cover may vary, particularly from
overhanging upland trees, but trees and shrubs rooted in the stand are less than 25% cover. Forbs dominate the
community. Symplocarpus foetidus and Angelica atropurpurea are the leading dominant and indicator species. Other
forbs and ferns present include Caltha palustris, Chelone glabra, Epilobium coloratum, Impatiens capensis (=
Impatiens biflora), Impatiens capensis, Pedicularis lanceolata, Pilea pumila, Saxifraga pensylvanica, Solidago patula,
and Thelypteris palustris. Graminoid cover is generally low, less than 25%, and may include Carex bromoides, Carex
comosa, Carex lacustris, Carex stricta, and Carex trichocarpa (MNNHP 1993, White and Madany 1978).
This community develops around spring heads and in broader areas of groundwater discharge, where water flows to
the surface in a diffuse rather than concentrated flow. Peat may be present in some areas, and perhaps locally can
be as deep as 1 m, but it is typically less than 0.4 m deep. Stands can occur along the lower slopes of glacial
moraines, ravines and in deep glacial meltwater-cut river valleys at the bases of slopes separating stream terraces.
Soils are seasonally to more-or-less permanently saturated (MNNHP 1993).
COMMENTS: 2, MCS. This community is defined as an herbaceous community, thereby excluding many closed
canopy seepage meadows with trees or shrubs rooted in the stand. However, some herbaceous seepage meadows
could be quite shaded because of surrounding upland forests. This type is not always separated out by state heritage
programs, since it can be a zone in other wetland types. Carex lacustris may occur in this type. The presence of
coarse-leaved sedges may be a structural difference as compared to fens, which typically have fine-leaved sedges
(MNNHP 1993).
CONSERVATION RANK: G4.
DISTRIBUTION: This community is found throughout the upper midwestern region of the United States and adjacent
Canada, where it develops around spring heads and in broader areas of groundwater discharge. The type extends
from Indiana and possibly Ontario and Ohio, west to Minnesota and Iowa.
USFS ECOREGIONS: 212He:CPP, 212Hl:CP, 212Hm:CPP, 212Hq:CPP, 212Hr:CPP, 212Ht:CPP, 212Hu:CPP, 212Hv:CP,
212Hw:CP, 212Hx:CP, 212Kb:CCC, 221Ec:CCC, 222Em:CPP, 222Ff:CCC, 222Gc:CCC, 222Ge:CCC, 222Ha:CCC,
222Hb:CCC, 222Hf:CCC, 222I:CP, 222Jb:CCC, 222Kg:CCC, 222Kh:CCC, 222Lc:CCC, 222Lf:CCC, 222Md:CCC, 251Cf:CCC,
251Dd:CCC, M221:
CONSERVATION REGIONS: 36:C, 44:C, 45:C, 46:C, 47:C, 48:C, 49:C
STATES: IA IL IN MI MN OH PROVINCES: ON
MIDWEST HERITAGE SYNONYMY: IL seep =
IN circumneutral seep +
MI southern swamp +
MN seepage meadow =
OH no state equivalent
OTHER SYNONYMY:
USNVC HIERARCHY: SYMPLOCARPUS FOETIDUS - CALTHA PALUSTRIS SATURATED HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE (V.B.2.N.f)
PLANT COMMUNITIES OF THE MIDWEST – 2001. APPENDIX: ASSOCIATION DESCRIPTIONS
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