SA/ SPDO / CAOB:

Salix spp. Douglas spirea / Carex obnupta

Scrub Shrub – PSS From Kunze, Linda. 1994. Preliminary Classification of Native, Low Elevation Freshwater Vegetation in Western Washington. March. Washington Department of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage Program, Olympia , Wash. [http://www.dnr.wa.gov/Publications/amp_nh_wetland_class.pdf]

This community type occurs in northwestern Grays Harbor and western Clallam counties. It occurs in areas that are seasonally to permanently but shallowly flooded. Water can be standing or very slow- moving. The soils are very soft muck and organic material with large organic debris. Beaver activity is common. There is considerable microtopographic diversity including networks of stream channels, woody debris and mounded ground.

Salix spp. generally form an open canopy under which occur Spiraea douglasii and a species-rich herbaceous understory. Carex obnupta is always present and can be codominant. Pyrus fusca* is usually present.

This community type is difficult to traverse and is poorly surveyed. This and other willow dominated communities will be revised as better information becomes available.

Indicator species:

Carex obnupta 5-50% Pyrus fusca*

Other species:

Agrostis scabra, Alnus rubra, Athyrium filix-femina, , Carex cusickii, Carex sitchensis*, Carex vesicaria, Cornus stolonifera*, Equisetum fluviatile, Galium sp., Gaultheria shallon, Ledum groenlandicum, Lonicem involucrate, Lycopus uniflorus, Lysichitum americanum*, Menyanthes trifoliate, Oenanthe sarmentosa, Physocarpus capitatus, Picea sitchensis, Pinus contorta, Polypodium glycyrrhiza, Potentilla palustris, Rhamnus purshiana, Sparganium sp., Sphagnum spp., Tsuga heterophylla, Vaccinium sp., Veronica americana*, Veronica scutellata