FNPS Plant Database

Spartina patens

marshhay cordgrass
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

marshhay cordgrass

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Spartina patens

Family:

Poaceae (Gramineae)

Plant Specifics

Form:

Grass

Size:

1–3 ft

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

yellow

Fruit Color:

Phenology:

Evergreen

Noted For:

Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Use as a shoreling stabilization plant on edges of sand beaches and saltmarsh.

Considerations:

Availability:

Native Nurseries, Specialty Provider, Seed

Propagation:

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

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

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Stays wet -to- Usually moist, occasional inundation

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

High. Can tolerate significant and ongoing amounts of salt

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand

Soil pH:

Suitable to Grow In:

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

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Vouchered In:

Distribution
Vouchered
Not vouchered
Selected
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Starting…
Map coded by Melissa Fernandez-de Cespedes (Paynes Prairie Chapter)

Ecology

Wildlife:

Birds

Birds and other animals eat the seeds.

Native Habitats:

Salt and brackish water of shores, farmlands, marshes, dunes

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

If grown in a freshwater environment, S. Patens will grow much bigger.
FNPS Plant Print

Citations:

Leif, J. (2013). Plant Guide for saltmeadow cordgrass ( Spartina patens ). ( https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/plantguide/pdf/pg_sppa.pdf ). Accessed 2026. USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Rose Lake Plant Materials Center. East Lansing, Michigan MI.


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


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, FL.

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