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Romfh, Peggy
Distichlis spicata
Distichlis spicata (L.) Greene
Saltgrass, Coastal Salt Grass, Inland Salt-grass
Poaceae (Grass Family)
Synonym(s): Distichlis spicata ssp. stricta, Distichlis spicata var. borealis, Distichlis spicata var. divaricata, Distichlis spicata var. nana, Distichlis spicata var. stolonifera, Distichlis spicata var. stricta, Distichlis stricta, Distichlis stricta var. dentata, Uniola spicata
USDA Symbol: DISP
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), HI (I), CAN (N)
This rigid, erect, warm-season grass forms dense colonies of dark-green, leafy stems, up to 3 ft. high. The seed head is short and made up of large, smooth spikelets. Coastal salt grass is a perennial.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Grass/Grass-like
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Inflorescence: Panicle
Fruit Type: Caryopsis
Size Notes: Up to about 3 feet tall.
Leaf: Green
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: YellowBloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct
Distribution
USA: AL , AZ , CA , CO , CT , DE , FL , GA , HI , IA , ID , IL , KS , LA , MA , MD , ME , MN , MO , MS , MT , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NV , NY , OH , OK , OR , PA , RI , SC , SD , TX , UT , VA , WA , WI , WYCanada: NB , NS , PE
Native Distribution: Sask. to e. WA, s. to TX & CA
Native Habitat: Alkali flats; saline marshes
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Wet
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Wet, saline or alkaline soils.
Conditions Comments: This species is useful for revegetating unusually saline, interior areas. Its extensive, creeping rhizomes enable it to colonize an area quickly. The grass adapts to drier soils including silts, clays, and even sands.
Benefit
Use Food: Native Americans obtained salt by eating globules adhering to saltgrass stems.Attracts: Birds , Butterflies
Larval Host: Sandhill Skipper (Polites sabuleti)
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
|
Alkali Skipper (Pseudocopaeodes eunus) Larval Host |
Salt Marsh Skipper (Panoquina panoquin)  Larval Host |
Wandering Skipper (Panoquina errans)  Larval Host |
Sandhill Skipper (Polites sabuleti)  Larval Host |
Propagation
Description: Seed germination is limited.Seed Treatment: Highest germination seems to come with 50 degree night and 105 degree day temperature regimes.
Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
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
National Wetland Indicator Status
| Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
| Status: | OBL | FAC | FACW | FACW | FACW | FACW | FACW | FACW |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
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 1218 - Tending the Wild: Native American Knowledge and the Management of California's Natural Resources (2006) Anderson, M. Kat
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Additional resources
USDA: Find Distichlis spicata in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Distichlis spicata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Distichlis spicata
Metadata
Record Modified: 2014-10-02Research By: TWC Staff