Community Field Guide
Scientific Name:
Carex saxatilis Herbaceous Vegetation
Common Name:
Russet sedge Herbaceous Vegetation
Community Description
Summary:
This wetland association has been described from the mountains of Utah, Montana, and Colorado and may extend north to Alaska. The elevation range for this community in Colorado and Utah is 2700-3200 m (9000-10,500 feet). The plant association occurs on organic soils near streams, in wet meadows, and as narrow bands along shorelines of ponds and small lakes. This typically dense graminoid community is dominated by Carex saxatilis. Carex aquatilis is often present and may be codominant. Other species often present with minor cover are Pedicularis groenlandica, Caltha leptosepala, Deschampsia caespitosa, and Carex rostrata.
Range:
This association is has been described from Utah, Montana, and Colorado. The community has also been reported from Wyoming and Idaho and may extend north into Canada and Alaska.
Global Rank: G3 State Rank: S3
Global Rank Comments:
This association has been documented from fewer than 50 stands from Utah, Montana, and Colorado. Although this vegetation is also likely to occur in Wyoming and Idaho, and may extend north into Canada and Alaska, fewer than 100 occurrences are estimated to exist. This community often occurs as a high elevation peatland and in some areas may be exploited for peat mining. More survey is needed to document the full range of this association.
Community References
Identifier:
CEGL001769
Author:
J. Thompson and J. Stevens
Citations:
Bourgeron and Engelking 1994, Driscoll et al. 1984, Kettler and McMullen 1996, Kovalchik 1993, Lewis 1970, Padgett et al. 1989, Pierce 1986, Sanderson and Kettler 1996
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This information is from the:
Montana Natural Heritage Program
Montana State Library--Natural Resource Information System
1515 East Sixth Ave., Helena, MT 59620-1800
406 444-3989
mtnhp.org
mtnhp@mt.gov
