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 |
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| (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