crowberry, three-tooth edcinquefoil ( Potentilla tridentata ) , seaside plantain 

 ( Plantago juncoides ) , and various grasses. 



The rare plant species found in this community are able to survive because of 

 the cooler temperatures found along the coast. Many also are found inland at 

 higher elevations (above 500 to 800 m) where temperatures are comparable to 

 those along the immediate coast. Examples of some of the rare species found 

 in these communities are beachhead iris (Iris hookeri) , blinks ( Montia 

 lamposperma ) , mountain sandwort ( Arenaria groenlandica ) , roseroot ( Seduro 

 rosea ) , purple crowberry, bird's-eye primrose ( Primula laurentiana ) , marsh 

 felwort ( Lomatogonium rotatum ) , goldenrod ( Solidago lepida ) , and yarrow 

 ( Achillea borealis ) . Iris, sandwort, roseroot, and primrose are often found 

 together on the exposed ledges of coastal headlands in regions 5 and 6, and on 

 outer islands in regions 3 through 6. The Great Wass Island archipelago in 

 region 6, Little Moose Island near Schoodic penninsula in region 5, Isle au 

 Haut in region 4, and Matinicus Isle and Matinicus Rock in region 3 support 

 important associations of the above rare species. 



A plant community dominated by jack pine ( Pinus banksiana ) is found in several 

 areas on Mt. Desert Island, and the Schoodic and Corea peninsulas in region 5, 

 and on Great Wass Island (region 6). 



Freshwater Intertidal Emergent Wetlands 



Freshwater intertidal emergent wetlands are relatively uncommon along the east 

 coast of the United States. Large expanses of undisturbed freshwater 

 intertidal emergent wetlands occur in Merrymeeting Bay in region 2, and lesser 

 amounts occur in the Penobscot River estuary (region 4). Several rare plant 

 species and named ecotypic varieties of more widely distributed species occupy 

 these habitats, including Long's bitter cress, estuary monkey flower, and 

 pipewort ( Eriocaulon parkerii ) . This association is most abundant along the 

 Cathance River in Topsham and Bowdoinham (region 2) and other localities in 

 Merrymeeting Bay, and in the Reed Brook estuary (a tributary of the Penobscot 

 River, region 4) . 



Brackish Intertidal Emergent Wetlands 



An association of rare plant species is found locally in brackish intertidal 

 emergent wetlands dominated by cordgrass ( Spartina patens ) . These species are 

 generally found in the upper portions of estuaries, especially the Sheepscot 

 River, Sasonoa River, and Back River in region 2, and the Marsh River in 

 region 4. Important rare plants occupying these habitats include a bulrush 

 ( Scirpus cylindricus ) , horned pondweed ( Zannichellia palustris ) , water 

 pimpernel (Samolus parvif lorus ) , spike-rush (Eleocharis rostellata ) , and 

 pipewort ( Lilaeopsis chinensis) . 



Atlantic White Cedar Forested Wetlands 



There is one forested wetland in the characterization area dominated by 

 Atlantic white cedar (as opposed to northern white cedar which is very 

 common). It is located in the town of Northport (region 4) and is registered 

 as a critical area. This wetland is also dominated by sphagnum mosses. This 

 community is the northernmost Atlantic white cedar wetland in Maine, although 

 there are several others found in Maine south of the characterization area, 



20-18 



