Native Plant Communities

Salt marshes are found in coastal areas, primarily along low-energy shorelines and within bays and estuaries. Saltmarsh is subject to inundation with sea water on a daily basis.

Salt marsh vegetation occurs within the marsh between the low and high tidal zones.  Florida’s salt marshes are typically dominated by black needle rush (Juncus romarianus),  smooth (Spartina alterniflora) and saltmeadow (S. patens) cordgrass, and occasionally in brackish areas, sawgrass (Cladium jamaisense). The distribution of species the salt marsh is controlled by the level and duration of tidal flooding, with smooth cordgrass found in the lowest, wettest parts of the marsh; salt meadow cordgrass in areas that receive intermediate levels of flooding, and black needle rush in the highest parts of the marsh. Sawgrass is found in areas transitional from freshwater marshes.(description paraphrased from https://myfwc.com/research/habitat/coastal-wetlands/information/salt-marshes/)