Department of Conservation and Recreation

THE NATURAL COMMUNITIES OF VIRGINIA
CLASSIFICATION OF ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITY GROUPS

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Second Approximation (Version 2.5)
Information current as of February, 2012

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Montane Woodland Seeps

Montane Woodland Seeps are saturated herbaceous wetlands occurring on relatively steep, often bouldery slopes at sites of groundwater discharge. These communities are scattered in the western Virginia mountains, primarily above 760 m (2500 ft) elevation. The habitats are typically narrow, rocky, and partially shaded by tree species rooted in adjacent upland forests. A few occurrences encompass large spring seeps on high-elevation cliffs. Vegetation is similar to the herbaceous component of high-elevation seepage swamps, but is usually more forb-rich. Common species include Oswego-tea (Monarda didyma), cut-leaved coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata var. humilis), spotted jewelweed (Impatiens capensis), rough goldenrod (Solidago patula var. patula), rough-leaved goldenrod (Solidago rugosa var. rugosa), white turtlehead (Chelone glabra), water-carpet (Chrysosplenium americanum), golden ragwort (P ackera aurea = Senecio aureus), American false-hellebore (Veratrum viride), marsh blue violet (Viola cucullata), marsh marigold (Caltha palustris) and, in the southern Blue Ridge, umbrella-leaf (Diphylleia cymosa). Graminoids, including bluejoint reedgrass (Calamagrostis canadensis), Bailey's sedge (Carex baileyi), and mountain fringed sedge (Carex gynandra), may be prominent locally.

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REPRESENTATIVE COMMUNITY TYPES:
The distribution, compositional variation, and ecological dynamics of montane woodland seeps in Virginia are poorly known and need intensive study. Only five plots of this vegetation have been sampled to date (map). Stands which appears consistent with three USNVC associations (CEGL004293, CEGL004296, and CEGL006597) described from North Carolina and West Virginia data have been observed in the southern Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains. A third association (CEGL006258) has been provisionally defined from plot data collected on the northern Virginia Blue Ridge. Click on any highlighted CEGL code below to view the global USNVC description provided by NatureServe Explorer.

• Caltha palustris - Impatiens pallida - Viola cucullata Herbaceous Vegetation [Provisional]
  Central Appalachian Woodland Seep
  USNVC: CEGL006258
  Global/State Ranks: GNR/SU
  
  
• Carex scabrata - Viola cucullata / Plagiomnium ciliare Herbaceous Vegetation
  High Allegheny Woodland Seep
  USNVC: = CEGL006597
  Global/State Ranks: G3/SU
  
  
• Impatiens (capensis, pallida) - Monarda didyma - Rudbeckia laciniata var. humilis Herbaceous Vegetation
  Southern Appalachian High-Elevation Seep (Jewelweed - Oswego-Tea Type)
  USNVC: = CEGL004293
  Global/State Ranks: G3/SU
  
  
• Diphylleia cymosa - Saxifraga micranthidifolia - Laportea canadensis Herbaceous Vegetation
  Southern Appalachian High-Elevation Seep (Umbrella-Leaf - Lettuce Saxifrage Type)
  USNVC: = CEGL004296
  Global/State Ranks: G3/SU
  

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