Spartina alterniflora
Saltmarsh Cordgrass, Smooth Cordgrass
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. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Propagation: | Division or seed. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Availability: | Specialty providers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Light: | Full Sun | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Moisture Tolerance: |
always floodedextremely dry |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Stays Wet ----- to ----- Not wet but not extremely dry) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Moisture Tolerance: | Stays Wet ----- to ----- Not wet but not extremely dry | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Salt Water Flooding Tolerance: | Tolerant of frequent or regular inundation (usually areas with tidal inundation) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Salt Spray/ Salty Soil Tolerance: | High. Can tolerate significant and ongoing amounts of salty wind and salt spray without injury. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Soil or other substrate: | Loam, Sand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Soil pH: |
Ecology
Wildlife: |
Birds and other animals eat the seeds. | |
Insects: | Larval food for Louisiana eyed silkmoth (Automeris louisiana) | |
Native Habitats: | Salt marsh, tidal flats, beaches. |
Distribution and Planting Zones
Natural Range in Florida
USDA Zones
Suitable to grow in:
10A 10B 11 8A 8B 9A 9B

USDA zones are based on minimum winter temperatures