• Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Distichlis spicata

saltgrass

Nomenclature

Common Name:

saltgrass

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Distichlis spicata

Family:

Poaceae (Gramineae)

Plant Specifics

Form:

grass

Size:

1-2 ft tall by spreading many ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

green

Fruit Color:

NA

Phenology:

evergreen

Noted For:

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Lawn-like groundcover especially near the edges of salt water.

Considerations:

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Availability:

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Propagation:

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Light:

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Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded---------------------------------Extremely Dry

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Stays wet -to- Somewhat moist, no flooding

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

High. Can tolerate significant and ongoing amounts of salt.

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Clay, Lime Rock

Soil pH:

alkaline

Suitable to Grow In:

Ecology

Wildlife:

Caterpillars, Birds, Mammals

Larval host for obscure skipper ( Panoquina panoquinoides ) and saltmarsh skipper ( Panoquina panoquin ).

Birds and other wildlife consume seed. 

Native Habitats:

Salt marsh.

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments: