Wet-mesic prairies are characterized by their tall prairie grasses and forbs occurring on mineral soils in wetland complexes. Soils are usually loam, silt loam, or silty clay loam, which are sometimes overlain by a thin layer (<12 inches) of sandier soil. They can be distinguished from wet prairies by the greater prevalence of forbs associated with mesic and dry-mesic prairies such as yellow coneflower (Ratibida pinnata) and stiff goldenrod (Solidago rigida), and greater depth to water table. In contrast, wet prairies tend to have a higher water table and higher prevalence of wetland forbs such as Joe-Pye-weed (Eutrochium maculatum), boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum), common water hemlock (Cicuta maculata), swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), and water smartweed (Persicaria amphibia). Loamy soils set wet-mesic prairies apart from other similar wetland communities including calcareous fens and southern sedge meadows, both of which occur on organic soils (peat and/or marl). In addition, wet-mesic prairies are dominated by grasses in terms of biomass, where sedge meadows are dominated by sedges.
Wet-mesic prairies can be distinguished from mesic prairies because they are in wetland complexes, have heavier soils, and a higher prevalence of wetland plants, whereas mesic prairies tend to occur on well-drained soils (especially with loess) in level to rolling uplands and have a higher prevalence of upland forbs such as leadplant (Amorpha canescens), heath and smooth asters (Symphyotrichum ericoides, S. laeve), prairie coreopsis (Coreopsis palmata), prairie sunflower (Helianthus pauciflorus), rattlesnake-master (Eryngium yuccifolium), and spiderwort (Tradescantia ohioensis).
