FNPS Plant Database

Distichlis spicata

saltgrass
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

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:

Phenology:

evergreen

Noted For:

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

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

Considerations:

Availability:

Native Nurseries, Seed

Propagation:

Seed or division.

Light:

Full Sun

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:

USDA zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature.

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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.

Natural Range in Florida:

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Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

Citations:

Nelson, Gil. (2003). Florida's Best Landscape Plants: 200 Readily Available Species for Homeowners and Professionals. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.


Wunderlin, R. P., B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. (1999+). Atlas of Florida Plants. ( https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/ ). [S. M. Landry and K. N. Campbell (application development), USF Water Institute.] Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa.

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