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THE VEGETATION OF THE HACKENSACK marsh: A TYPICAL AMERICAN FEN 



either side the flora would become less and less that of the typical salt marsh. 

 In a general way these conditions prevail. For example, Spartina glabra var, 

 pilosa is very common along the lower banks of the Hackensack, but it is 

 entirely absent above Sawmill Creek. Similarly, Juncus Gerardi and Spartina 

 patens, typical salt-marsh plants, are found near Newark Bay and on the flats 

 around Penhorn Creek, but there is not a sign of these plants in the upper 

 part of the valley. In the northern part of the Hackensack region there are 

 acid swamps, characterized by such oxylophytes as Vaccinium corymbosum, 

 Rhododendron viscosum, Acer rubrum, and Clethra alnifolia. In the southern 

 part acid swamps are absent, and it is interesting to note that the transition 

 area between acid swamps and alkaline salt marsh is easily demarcated. In 

 fact, one can draw an exact line of tension between salt and fresh-water 

 marsh floras, since the latter is distinguished from the former by the ab- 

 sence of the characteristic grasses and grass-like plants. The following is a 

 list of the plants collected and identified, with a note of the habitat and 

 other matters of interest: 



LIST OF PLANTS 

 DIVISION II.— PTERIDOPHYTA 



POLYPODIACEAE 



Aspidium Thelypteris (L.) Sw. (Wood Fern). 



This fern is quite common throughout the marshes in shaded brackish 

 situations. 

 Onoclea sensibilis L. (Sensitive Fern). 



Moist brackish meadows and along ditches. 

 Osmunda regalis L. (Flowering Fern) (Fig. ii). 



In ditches along Belleville Road. 



Equisetaceae 

 Equisetum arvense L. (Common Horsetail). 



Roadsides and gravelly banks. This plant seems to delight in soil 

 which lacks humus. 



Lycopodiaceae 

 Ly CO podium alopecuroides L. 



Swamps near Moonachie. 



