Synonymy

Eriophoretum vaginati Smith & Moss 1903, Lewis 1904, Lewis & Moss 1911, Moss 1913, Adamson 1918, Watson 1932, Tansley 1939, allp.p.; Eriophorum vaginatum moss Pearsall 1941; Eriophorum vaginatum bog Conway 1949; Raised bog Sinker 1960 p.p., Proctor 1974p.p.; Eriophoretum Eddy et al. 1969, Fidler et al. 1970; Eriophorum angustifolium-Eriophorum vaginatum Gesellschaft Dierssen 1982; Empetrum nigrum Gesellschaft Dierssen 1982; Calluna vulgaris Gesellschaft Dierssen 1982.

Constant species

Eriophorum angustifolium, E. vaginatum.

Physiognomy

The Eriophorum vaginatum mire comprises species-poor ombrogenous bog vegetation dominated by E. vaginatum, the tussocks of which form an open or closed canopy, 1-3 dm high. Other frequent vascular associates are very few and typically of low cover: the only other constant plant is E. angustifolium and this is usually found as scattered shoots, sometimes a little more densely distributed in wetter runnels. Ericoid subshrubs in particular are noticeably patchy in their occurrence compared with the Calluna-Eriophorum mire. Calluna vulgaris, Empetrum nigrum ssp. nigrum and Vaccinium myrtillus can each be found quite frequently and the last two may occur with some measure of local abundance but they tend not to form a consistently vigorous and mixed component of the vegetation: one or more, quite often all, of them may be lacking or reduced to sparse and puny shoots, with Calluna and V. myrtillus frequently showing signs of having been nibbled. Rubus chamaemorus, another good preferential of the Calluna-Eriophorum mire, is likewise unevenly represented here, being only occasional overall and of low cover. Deschamp sia flexuosa occurs fairly commonly and it can be locally abundant though, where closely-grazed, with its inflorescences eaten off, it can readily be overlooked. Festuca ovina, Juncus squarrosus, Scirpus cespitosus and Carex bigelowii all occur infrequently.

The ground cover is variable in its extent, though typically sparse and patchy and never showing the richness and luxuriance characteristic of virgin Erico-Sphagnion mires. Sphagna, in particular, are scarce with Sphagnum capillifolium and S. papillosum the most usual species but even these very infrequent and of small cover. Equally obvious is the poor representation of hypnaceous mosses with species such as Pleurozium schreberi, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Plagiothecium undulatum and Hypnum cupressiforme Ijutlandicum occurring only very uncommonly.

Positive features among the bryophytes are few but Campylopus paradoxus is fairly frequent throughout and it can be accompanied by Dicranum scoparium in stands with a richer sub-shrub cover.