• Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Spartina alterniflora

saltmarsh cordgrass, smooth cordgrass

Nomenclature

Common Name:

saltmarsh cordgrass, smooth cordgrass

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Spartina alterniflora

Family:

Poaceae (Gramineae)

Plant Specifics

Form:

grass

Size:

2-6 ft

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

yellow

Fruit Color:

NA

Phenology:

evergreen

Noted For:

Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Used for shoreline protection. A major saltmarsh plant. Useful for erosion control.

Considerations:

Text

Availability:

Text

Propagation:

Text

Light:

Text

Moisture Tolerance:

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

â–¡â–¡â–¡â–¡â–¡â–¡â– â– â– â– â– â– â– â– â– â– â– â– â– â– â– â– â– â– â– â– â– â–¡â–¡â–¡â–¡â–¡â–¡â–¡â–¡â–¡â–¡â–¡â–¡â–¡â–¡â–¡

Stays wet -to- Not wet but not extremely dry

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

High. Can tolerate significant and ongoing amounts of salt.

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Loam

Soil pH:

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B,10A,10B,11

Ecology

Wildlife:

Caterpillars, Birds

Larval food for Louisiana eyed silkmoth ( Automeris louisiana )

Birds and other animals eat the seeds.

Native Habitats:

Salt marsh, tidal flats, beaches.

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments: