The Natural Communities of Virginia
Classification of Ecological Community Groups
SECOND APPROXIMATION (Version 2.2)
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 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 (
Packera 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.
REPRESENTATIVE COMMUNITY TYPES:
The distribution, compositional variation, and ecological dynamics of montane woodland seeps in Virginia are poorly known and need
intensive study. Vegetation which appears consistent with two USNVC associations (CEGL004293 and CEGL004296) described from North
Carolina data has 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.
- 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/SNR
- Diphylleia cymosa – Saxifraga micranthidifolia – Laportea canadensis Herbaceous Vegetation
Southern Appalachian High-Elevation Seep (Umbrella-Leaf – Lettuce Saxifrage Type
USNVC:
CEGL004296
Global/State Ranks:
G3/SNR
- Caltha palustris – Impatiens capensis – Viola cucullata Herbaceous Vegetation
Central Appalachian Woodland Seep
USNVC:
=
CEGL006258 (PROVISIONAL)
Global/State Ranks:
GNR/SNR
