Synonymy

Juncetum maritimi auct. angl. p.p., includes Juncus maritimus-Oenanthe lachenalii ass. R.Tx. 1937

Constant species

Agrostis stolonifera, Festuca rubra, Glaux maritima, Juncus gerardii, J. maritimus.

Physiognomy

The association is dominated by tall dense clumps of Juncus maritimus with an understorey of Agrostis stolonifera, Festuca rubra, Glaux maritima and Juncus gerardii. There is a rich subsidiary flora in which mesotrophic grassland species (notably Leontodon autumnalis and Trifolium repens) and weed species (for example, Atriplex hastata, Elymus repens and Rumex crispus) are conspicuous. Bryophytes may be locally abundant with patches of Calliergon cuspidatum, Amblystegium riparium, A. serpens and Eurhynchium praelongum. Stands of the association may be based on individual clones of J. maritimus, in some cases up to 15 m in diameter, or occur as an extensive zone.

Sub-communities

Plantago maritima sub-community: Juncetum maritimi Yapp & Johns 1917; Festuca rubra-Juncus maritimus nodum Adam 1976. Plantago maritima and Triglochin maritima attain constancy in the often luxuriant vegetation of this sub-community and there are frequent records for Leontodon autumnalis, rayed Aster tripolium and Armeria maritima. It sometimes occupies extensive areas, notably at Ynys Hir in the Dovey estuary, Dyfed.

Oenanthe lachenalii sub-community: Juncus maritimus-Oenanthe lachenalii ass. R.Tx. 1937; Oenanthe lachenalii-Juncus maritimus nodum Adam 1976. Triglochin maritima, Leontodon autumnalis and Oenanthe lachenalii are constant here, the last giving a particularly distinctive appearance to the vegetation in the flowering season, though it is rarely present in abundance.