EMERGENT MARSH
A non-tidal, freshwater wetland occurs in low-lying areas along rivers and other fresh bodies of
water that are subject to flooding, isolated depressions that collect surface water, as well as
areas with high groundwater tables. Water levels fluctuate seasonally and usually drop in mid to
late summer. A shallow emergent marsh occurs on mineral soils that are more well-drained than
a deep emergent marsh with water depths from 6” to 3.3‟. Shallow emergent marshes can be
considered wet meadows, gradually sloping shores of ponds, lakes, and streams, and
temporarily flooded drainage swales. A deep emergent marsh occurs on mineral soils or fine-
grained organic soils (muck or well-decomposed peat) with water depths that may reach 6” to
6.6‟. Only 2,000 acres of freshwater wetlands remain with the five boroughs from the expansive
224,000 acres that date back to the Industrial Revolution (Luttenberg et al 1993).
SHALLOW EMERGENT MARSH
Examples Include: Seton Falls (BX), Prospect Park (BK), Central Park –Belvedere (MN),
Flushing Meadows-Willow Lake (QU), Blue Heron (SI), High Rock (SI)Recommended Plants:
Ferns
Onoclea sensibilis Sensitive fern
Osmunda cinnamomea Cinnamon fern
Osmunda regalis Royal fern
Thelypteris palustris Marsh fern
Graminoids
Andropogon virginicus Broom-sedge
Carex annectens Yellow-fruit sedge
Carex comosa Bottlebrush sedge
Carex crinita Fringed sedge
Carex lupulina Hop sedge
Carex lurida Shallow sedge
Carex stipata Awlfruit sedge
Carex stricta Tussock sedge
Carex vulpinoidea Fox sedge
Juncus canadensis Canadian rush
Juncus effusus Soft rush
Leersia oryzoides Rice cut-grass
Rhynchospora capitellata Brownish beaksedge
Schoenoplectus pungens Common threesquare
Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani Soft stem bulrush
Scirpus atrovirens Green bulrush
Scirpus cyperinus Wool grass