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

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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.

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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:

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.


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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