Sedge Meadow These Plants Are Frequently Found in This Community Type

Characteristic Plants Sedge Meadow These plants are frequently found in this community type. Those with an asterisk are State Rank S4 Diagnostics often diagnostic of this community. Tussock sedge forms greater than 30% Sapling/shrub Community Description cover (usually >50%); shrub cover usually Meadowsweet* These graminoid marshes are is less than 30%. Vegetation is strongly Speckled alder* dominated by hummocks of tussock hummocked with standing water between Winterberry* sedge interspersed with bluejoint, other hummocks for much of the growing Dwarf Shrub graminoids, and a few shrubs. Shrub season. Leatherleaf cover is usually less than 30% but may Herb occasionally be higher; meadowsweet is Similar Types Bluejoint* a characteristic shrub. Other wetland Bluejoint Meadows share many species but Tussock sedge* have lower abundance of tussock sedge Sedge Meadow sedges and grasses are scattered in with Bryoid and are usually only temporarily flooded. the tussock sedge and bluejoint, usually Conservation, Wildlife, and Sphagnum mosses in small amounts. Plant species vary Sweetgale Mixed Shrub Fens and Alder Management Considerations Shrub Thickets can also share species with from site to site but typically include While graminoid marshes are common Associated Rare Plants this type but are more strongly dominated royal fern, cinnamon fern, sensitive fern, throughout the state, the Tussock Sedge Bog bedstraw St. Johnswort, flat-topped white aster, or by shrubs (>25% shrub or dwarf shrub cover, Meadow type of graminoid marsh is more Tussock Sedge Meadow and usually >50%), and with <25% cover wool-grass. Bryophytes are usually very restricted in its distribution. Several are Associated Rare Animals of tussock sedge. Mixed Graminoid-Shrub sparse. known from public lands and private Blanding’s turtle Marshes also have <25% tussock sedge. conservation lands, including some very Comet darner Soil and Site Characteristics large and intact examples. Maintaining Least bittern Soils are saturated and usually flooded, Location Map appropriate wetland buffers can help Ribbon snake sometimes only seasonally. Soils may ensure that adjacent land uses do not Sedge wren be entirely organic peat or muck, or result in degradation. This wetland type is Short-eared owl a layer of organic matter over mineral particularly susceptible to alteration from Spotted turtle soil. Standing water is present through the non-native purple loosestrife. Tomah mayfly much of the growing season. This Yellow rail type typically occurs in large flat basins The rare Tomah mayfly is found in a few that are often associated with drainage large sedge meadows in central, eastern, Distribution streams and may be influenced by beaver and northern Maine. In addition to Statewide, extending throughout the activity. numerous common bird species, the rare sedge wren nests in graminoid northeastern U.S.; Canadian distribution marshes and wet meadows. Northern unknown. harriers may also nest and forage in these meadows. Northern leopard frogs forage Landscape Pattern: Large Patch in large grassy meadows associated with watercourses in mid-summer. Some sites Examples on Conservation may function as vernal pools, which are Lands You Can Visit important breeding habitat for a variety • Cold Stream, Passadumkeag of amphibians including wood frogs, – Penobscot Co. spotted salamanders, and blue-spotted • Great Heath Public Lands – salamanders. In southern Maine, these Washington Co. wetlands may provide foraging habitat • Middle Pond State Park – Oxford Co. for ribbon snakes, Blanding’s turtles, and • Roberts Pond Inlet, Massabesic Mulberrywing spotted turtles. Experimental Forest – York Co. Maine Natural Areas Program.

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