FNPS Plant Database

Sporobolus virginicus

seashore dropseed
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

seashore dropseed

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Sporobolus virginicus

Family:

Poaceae (Gramineae)

Plant Specifics

Form:

Grass

Size:

0.5–1 ft

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

green

Fruit Color:

Phenology:

Evergreen. Forms colonies

Noted For:

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Salt marsh coastal stabilizer. Low dune stabilizer. Groundcover in coastal settings.

Considerations:

Availability:

Native Nurseries

Propagation:

Seed, division.

Light:

Full Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

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

□□□□□□□□□□□□■■■■■■■■■■■■□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□

Usually moist, occasional inundation -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:

Soil pH:

Calcareous (high pH)

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B,10A,10B,11

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

Don't know your zone? Click here to search by zip code.

Vouchered In:

Distribution
Vouchered
Not vouchered
Selected
Click a county The county name will appear here.
No county distribution is available for this plant yet.
Starting…
Map coded by Melissa Fernandez-de Cespedes (Paynes Prairie Chapter)

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators

Larval host for Obscure Skipper ( Panoquina panoquinoides ) and probably Salt Marsh Skipper ( Panoquina panoquin ).

Native Habitats:

Dunes, salt marshes, disturbed saline areas

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

Useful in coastal restoration or retained along a coastal shoreline for stabilization.
FNPS Plant Print

Citations:

Gann, G.D, C.J. Abbott, C.G. Stocking, K.N. Hines, and collaborators. (2001+). Seashore dropseed [in] Natives For Your Neighborhood. ( https://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=Sporvirg ). Accessed 2026. The Institute for Regional Conservation. Delray Beach, FL.


Minno, M., J. Butler, and D. Hall. (2005). Florida Butterfly Caterpillars and Their Host Plants. University Press of Florida, Gainesville, FL.


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.

Request an update