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Midwest Natural Resources, Inc. - Trott Brook - Rare Plant Survey Report - Anoka County, Minnesota Wetlands are present in both the northern and southern portions of the site. The northern wetland area is a mosaic of intact native plant community and invasive cattail (Typha sp.). Intact portions of this complex are dominated by wiregrass sedge (Carex lasiocarpa), Canada rush (Juncus canadensis), and broad-leaved arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia). The southern wetland complex adjacent to Trott Brook is strongly influenced by groundwater discharge. This specific area corresponds to the Peat and muck map unit depicted in the Surficial Geology map. The wetland itself is intact and floristically diverse with both wet forest and wet meadow communities. This complex includes an open graminoid-dominated community with obvious groundwater discharge and dome -like topography. This area is bordered to the north by wet forest containing black ash (Fraxinus nigra), tamarack (Larix laricina), and a wall of non-native cattail. Species of note include bog birch (Betula pumila), fringed brome (Bromus ciliatus), spring cress (Cardamine bulbosa), water sedge (Carex aquatilis), porcupine sedge (Carex hystericina), interior sedge (Carex interior), prairie sedge (Carex prairea), sage - leaved willow (Salix candida) and bog aster (Symphyotrichum boreale). The species list for this collective community is presented in Appendix C. Other noteworthy species include marsh stitchwort (Stellaria palustris) and the native broad-leaved cattail (Typha latifolia). The marsh stitchwort is identified as an introduced species from northern Europe. However, the this is the second known occurrence of this species in the state that we are aware of. Both populations are present in discharge systems including a rich fen community in northern Minnesota and now this population. The broad-leaved cattail is sporadically distributed within the feature in contrast to the aforementioned wall of non-native cattail. It is either an issue of time or a combination of factors (soils, hydrology, and chemistry) that is currently inhibiting the non- native cattails from taking over this system. Photo of open graminoid-dominated discharge feature with tamarack in the background. Although it would be unusual and unexpected for this area, the mentioned assemblage of plants is suggestive of possible calcareous fen conditions. If using the calciphile species occurrence method in Leete and Smith (2005), this location (Minnesota River Valley Region) would have a point total of 65. The critical Vegetation Criterion threshold for calcareous fens is 50 points. However, key calciphile species, other than the prairie sedge, appear to be absent. Soils were evaluated on the second site visit in an attempt to collect