Native Plant Database

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Grass/Grass-like
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Leaf Margin: Entire
Leaf: Green
Fruit:
Size Class: 3-6 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Not Applicable
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct
Bloom Notes: Perianth absent.

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , FL , GA , HI , LA , MS , NC , NM , SC , TX , VA
Native Distribution: Widespread in Carribean region, north to Gulf states & Virginia.
Native Habitat: Cladium mariscus ssp. jamaicense grows in limestone soil in fresh water at the edges of wet areas, streams, ponds, and lakes. It is found in the Rio Grande Plains, south east Texas, Edwards Plateau, and Trans-Pecos.
USDA Native Status: L48(N), HI(N), PR(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist , Wet
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Aquatic: yes
Soil Description: Stream or lake margins, wet areas, often in calcareous soils.
Conditions Comments: Cladium mariscus ssp. jamaicense is a large sedge with long tough leaves. The leaves have very sharp, saw-toothed margins that are capable of cutting bare skin. Be prepared if you come in contact with this plant! Each stand produces a number of large flower spikes that rise above the leaves. The visually interesting seed heads persist through the summer. Good for wetland gardens and habitat. This is the signature plant of the Florida Everglades.

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Deer Resistant: High

From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation Native Plant Nursery - Sanibel, FL

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Nueces River Authority - Uvalde, TX

Wildflower Center Seed Bank

LBJWC-651 Collected 2008-07-23 in Travis County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Cladium mariscus ssp. jamaicense in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Cladium mariscus ssp. jamaicense in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Cladium mariscus ssp. jamaicense