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Spartina alterniflora (Saltmarsh cordgrass)
Wasowski, Sally and Andy

Spartina alterniflora Loisel.

Saltmarsh Cordgrass, Smooth cordgrass, Salt cordgrass

Poaceae (Grass Family)

USDA Symbol: spal

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

The dominant grass in coastal plains of eastern North America, Saltmarsh Cordgrass grows 3 to 8 feet tall in moist, sandy coastal regions that are brackish to very salty. Its leaves are green with silvery white undersides. Flowers are 4 to 12 inch spikes appearing late summer through fall, with seeds ripening soon after. Roots are deep and fibrous, with rhizomatous colonization.

A great plant for wildlife gardens in coastal areas of eastern North America, Saltmarsh Cordgrass requires full sun, moist to wet, preferably sandy soil, and lots of room, as it tends to form thick mats over time. The silvery undersides of its leaves are attractive in the wind and make a handsome addition to a coastal prairie garden, especially when combined with fall-blooming perennials like goldenrod and gayfeather.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Grass/Grass-like
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Inflorescence: Spike
Fruit Type: Caryopsis
Size Notes: Normally 3 to 6 feet tall, but can grow to 8 feet, or can remain at less than 2 feet if ground is extremely salty.
Leaf: Green with silvery underside
Fruit:
Size Class: 3-6 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Apr , May

Distribution

USA: AL , CA , CT , DE , FL , GA , LA , MA , MD , ME , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , RI , SC , TX , VA , WA
Canada: NB , NL , NS , PE
Native Distribution: Atlantic Provinces of Canada south to coastal Texas and south to South America. Zones 5 to 9.
Native Habitat: Salt and brackish tidal marshes (mid-tide up to Mean High Tide level). Also seasonally flooding coastal savannah with scattered Coastal Live Oaks (Quercus virginiana).
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Wet
Soil pH: Alkaline (pH>7.2) , Acidic (pH<6.8)
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Drought Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Clay, Loam, Sand, Brackish to Salty

Benefit

Use Ornamental: The dominant grass in Southeastern coastal areas, this grass would do well in coastal prairie gardens. Its silvery leaves combine well with fall-blooming perennials like Liatris and Solidago.
Use Wildlife: Geese feed on roots in winter. Leaves browsed by muskrats and deer. Seeds eaten by a variety of birds.
Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Birds
Deer Resistant: No

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Spartina alterniflora is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Louisiana eyed silkmoth
(Automeris louisiana)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA

Propagation

Propagation Material: Root Division

Mr. Smarty Plants says

When to plant grasses on Long Island, NY
December 06, 2009
Dear Mr. Smarty Plants; Are there any grass seeds that I can plant NOW, early December, on Long Island, NY? The planting environment is on and near a sandy bluff on a bayshore, where it can be windy ...
view the full question and answer

Bibliography

Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
Bibref 996 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (1994) Wasowski, Sally and Andy Wasowski

Search More Titles in Bibliography

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 Spartina alterniflora in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Spartina alterniflora in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Spartina alterniflora

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-02-10
Research By: TWC Staff

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