Saltmeadow Cordgrass

Scientific Name: Spartina patens (Aiton) Muhl.

Saltmeadow Cordgrass

General Information
Usda Symbol	SPPA
Group	Monocot
Life Cycle	Perennial
Growth Habits	Graminoid
Native Locations	SPPA

Plant Guide

Alternate Names

Marshhay cordgrass , Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Saltmeadow Cordgrass.

Uses

Saltmeadow cordgrass is used for shoreline protection and tidal marsh restorations, and is often utilized for levee stabilization and dune stabilization plantings near coastal beaches and on barrier islands. It is an important species for dissipating wave energy in low topography relief coastlines (Stallins, 2002). Saltmeadow cordgrass is an effective stabilizer used on interior mud flats, dredge fill sites, and other areas of loose and unconsolidated soils associated with marsh restoration (Burger and Shisler, 1983). However, saltmeadow cordgrass colonies can be barried and killed by sand accumulation of 3 feet or more (Courtemanche et al., 1999). Saltmeadow cordgrass has been observed to inhibit the spread of aggressive rhizomatous species. Encroachment of Phragmites australis was blocked by saltmeadow cordgrass in restored marshes in New Jersey (Wang et al., 2006). Saltmeadow cordgrass may play an important role for remediating and restoring marshes after oil spills. Saltmeadow cordgrass dominated coastal wetlands are predicted to recover from oil spills without additional intervention procedures (DeLaune et al., 2003). Saltmeadow cordgrass also provides food and cover to many terrestrial and aquatic species of wildlife including muskrats, nutria, rabbits, ducks, white-footed mouse and meadow vole (Stutzenbaker, 1999; Abuzeineh et al., 2007). In Canada, saltmeadow cordgrass is known to be a larval host of the endangered maritime ringlet butterfly (Sei, 2009). Saltmeadow cordgrass is considered an important forage species to livestock producers along the gulf coast (Stutzenbaker, 1999) and is cut and dried for hay in New England and Newfoundland (Stalter, 2003). This species is the primary component of salt hay, which is utilized in the landscape and vegetable trade industry as weed seed free mulch.

Status

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s current status (e.g., threatened or endangered species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

Weediness

This plant may become weedy or invasive in some regions or habitats and may displace desirable vegetation if not properly managed. It is considered an invasive plant in Washington and Oregon (Washington Administrative Code, 2005; Oregon Dept. of Agriculture, 2006). Please consult with your local NRCS Field Office, Cooperative Extension Service office, or state natural resource or agriculture department regarding its status and use. Weed information is also available from the PLANTS Web site at plants.usda.gov.

Description

This warm season, native, perennial grows from 1 to 4 feet tall, and spreads extensively by long slender rhizomes. Dark green stems emerge from the rhizomes. The rolled leaf blades are typically 1/2 to 1 foot long, and 0.1 to 0.2 inches wide. Leaf blades are shiny, dark green on the upper surface and rough with prominent veins on the lower surface. Leaves are drooping and wiry in appearance. From late June to October an inflorescence emerges at the end of the stem, which is composed of 2 to 10 two-inch-long spikelets. The numerous florets are 0.3 to 0.4 inches long and arranged in an overlapping scale-like fashion on each spikelet. The flowers are wind pollinated and self-sterile (Barkworth, 2003; Gould, 1975). USDA NRCS National Plant Materials Center Beltsville, MD Distribution: Saltmarsh cordgrass has been observed from the Atlantic shorelines in Newfoundland, Canada to the coastlines of Florida and Texas and as far south as Quintana Roo in Mexico (Stalter, 1993; Gould, 1975; Sauer, 1967). Saltmarsh cordgrass has also been observed along Lake Huron in Michigan (Voss, 1972). It also occurs in Oregon and Washington where it is considered invasive. For current distribution, please consult the Plant Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web site.

Adaptation

Saltmeadow cordgrass is commonly found growing in saline to brackish marshes, sandy beaches and low dunes, tidal flats and marsh ridges. It can inhabit foredunes and primary dunes, and can survive in saturated soil conditions (Stalter, 1974; Stalter and Lamont, 1997; van der Valk, 1975). This grass is adapted to a wide range of soils from coarse sands to silty clay sediments with a pH range of 4.5 to 7.1 (Martin, 1959). Saltmeadow cordgrass will tolerate irregular inundations with 0 to 35 parts per thousand salinity and the concentration required for 50% above ground tissue death is about 65 parts per thousand (Hester et al., 2005). Leaf blades have a thick cuticle and usually are involute when fully developed which helps protect the plant from salt spray injury (Oosting, 1945).

Establishment

Saltmeadow cordgrass is usually established by vegetative means. Depending on the energy affecting the planting site, either containerized (high impact sites) or bare root (mild impact sites) plants can be utilized. Bare root material should contain 3 to 5 stems perplanting unit, while containers should have at least 5 to 8 healthy stems. Bare root plugs are generally limited to planting sites that are exposed to little or no wave energy. Since most marsh sites are irregular and difficult to access, hand planting is normally employed, using spades, dibbles, or planting bars. If site conditions are right, planting can be carried out with a mechanical, tractor drawn transplanter. Plant spacing should be between 18 and 36 inches; up to 2 feet of lateral spread can be expected annually (Craig, 1991; USDA, 2007).

Pests and Potential Problems

The toxic ascomycete ergot (Claviceps purpurea) has been observed to parasitize the ovaries of saltmeadow cordgrass. The infection can be transferred to other grass species including big cordgrass (Spartina cynosuroides) and smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) (Eleuterius and Meyers, 1974).

Environmental Concerns

Concerns

Concerns

None at this time.

Control

Please contact your local agricultural extension specialist or county weed specialist to learn what works best in your area and how to use it safely. Always read label and safety instructions for each control method.

Seeds and Plant Production

Plant Production

Plant Production

Saltmeadow cordgrass is commonly propagated vegetatively. It has little ability to spread through seed production and the seedlings have low vigor. In nursery rows, plants of saltmeadow cordgrass should be spaced 6 to 12 inches apart. Under ideal nursery conditions, each planting unit should be able to yield up to 50 stems in a single growing season. Effective weed control is essential to producing quality plants. Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) Saltmeadow cordgrass is easily found in nurseries, garden stores and other plant dealers and distributors. There are several named cultivars available on the commercial market. In 1986, ‘Avalon’ (New Jersey) saltmeadow cordgrass was released for use in the coastal area north of the Carolinas by the Cape May Plant Material Center (PMC), in Cape May Court House, New Jersey. Soon after, ‘Flageo’ (North Carolina) was released by the Americus, Georgia and Brooksville, Florida PMCs for use on southern Atlantic and Gulf coasts. ‘Sharp’ (Louisiana) was released in 1994 by the Florida and Georgia PMCs for coastal back dune stabilization in the southern Atlantic and Gulf coast counties from Florida to Texas. It is also suited for use in inland areas from southern Georgia to southern Arkansas to stabilize shorelines, gullies, road banks, mine spoils, saline oil seep areas, and for nutrient reclamation in agricultural and municipal waste water irrigated fields. In 2003, ‘Gulf Coast’ marshhay cordgrass was released from the Golden Meadow PMC near Galliano, Louisiana for marsh restoration, shoreline and levee stabilization, stabilizing dredge fill sites, and restoration of coastal beaches and dunes. ‘Gulf Coast’ is found to be adapted to the coastal areas of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas.

References

Abuzeineh, A. A., R. D. Owen, N. E. McIntyre, C. W. Dick, R. E. Strauss, and T. Holsomback. 2007. Response of marsh rice rat (Oryzomys palustris) to inundation of habitat. Southwestern Naturalist 52(1):75-78. Barkworth, M. E. 2003. Spartina Schreb. In: Barkworth, M. E., K. M. Capels, S. Long, and M. B. Piep eds. Magnoliophyta: Commelinidae (in Part): Poaceae, Part 2, Flora of North America North of Mexico, Volume 25. New York: Oxford University Press. 240 – 250. Burger, J. and J. Shisler. 1983. Succession and productivity on perturbed and natural Spartina salt-marsh areas in New Jersey. Estuaries 6(1)50-56. Courtemanche Jr, R. P., M. W. Hester, and I. A. Mendelssohn. 1999. Recovery of a Louisiana marsh plant community following extensive hurricane-induced overwash. Journal of Coastal Research 15(4):872-883. Craig, R. M. 1991. Plants for coastal dunes of the Gulf and South Atlantic Coasts and Puerto Rico. USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service. Agriculture information Bulletin 460. 41pp. DeLaune, R. D., S. R. Pezeshki, A. Jugsujinda, and C. W. Lindau. 2003. Sensitivity of US Gulf of Mexico coastal marsh vegetation to crude oil: comparison of greenhouse and field responses. Aquatic Ecology 37(4):351-360. Eleuterius, L. N. and S. P. Meyers. 1974. Claviceps purpurea on Spartina in coastal marshes. Mycologia 66(6):978-986. Gould, F. W. 1975. The Grasses of Texas. College Station, Texas. Texas A&M University Press. 653 pp. Hester, M. W., E. A. Spalding, and D. D. Franze. 2005. Biological resources of the Louisiana coast: Part 1. An overview of coastal plant communities of the Louisiana Gulf shoreline. Journal of Coastal Research Special Issue No. 44:134-145. Martin, W. E. 1959. The vegetation of Island Beach State Park. Ecological Monographs 29(1):2-46. Oosting, H. J. 1945. Tolerance to salt spray of plants of coastal dunes. Ecology 26(1):85-89. Oregon Department of Agriculture. 2006. Noxious weed policy and classification system. http://www.oregon.gov/ODA/PLANT/WEEDS/Pages/lists.aspx. Oregon Department of Agriculture. Verified 25 February, 2013. Sauer, J. 1967. Geographic reconnaissance of seashore vegetation along the Mexican Gulf Coast. Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Louisiana State University Press. 59pp. Sei, M. 2009. Flight and oviposition behavior of the adult maritime ringlet (Coenonympha nipisiquit McDunnough) females in response to microhabitat. Journal of Insect Behavior 22(2): 87-100. Stallins, J. A. 2002. Dune plant species diversity and function in two barrier island biogeomorphic systems. Plant Ecology 165:183-196. Stalter, R. 1974. Vegetation in coastal dunes in South Carolina. Castanea 39(1): 95-103. Stalter, R. 1993. Barrier Island Botany. The Southeastern United States. Dubuque, Iowa: Wm. Brown. 164pp. Stalter, R. 2003. Barrier Island Botany – A Guide to Barrier Island Plants from Cape Cod, Massachusetts to Assateague Island, Virginia. Fort Washington, Pennsylvania: Eastern National. 72pp. Stalter, R. and E. E. Lamont. 1997. Flora of North Carolina’s Outer Banks, Ocracoke Island to Virginia. Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society 124(1): 71-88. Stutzenbaker, D. D. 1999. Aquatic and Wetland Plants in the Western Gulf Coast. Austin, Texas: University of Texas Press. 465 pp. USDA. 2007. Planting Guide for Establishing Coastal Vegetation on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service Jamie L. Whitten Plant Materials Center, Coffeeville, Mississippi. 38pp. van der Valk. A. G. 1975. The floristic composition and structure of foredune plant communities of Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Chesapeake Science 16(2):115-126. Voss, E. G. 1972. Michigan Flora – A Guide to the Identification and Occurrence of Native and Naturalized Seed-Plants of the State. Bloomfield Hills, Michigan: Cranbrook Institute of Science and University of Michigan Herbarium. 488pp. Wang, J., D. M. Seliskar, J. L. Gallagher, and M. T. League. 2006. Blocking Phragmites australis reinvasion of restored marshes using plants selected from wild populations and tissue culture. Wetlands Ecology and Management 14(6):539-547. Washington Administrative Code. 2005. State noxious weed list and schedule of monetary penalties, Chapter 16-750. http://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=16-750 . State of Washington. Verified 25 February, 2013. Prepared By: USDA Rose Lake Plant Materials Center. East Lansing, Michigan. Citation Leif, J. 2013. Plant Guide for saltmeadow cordgrass (Spartina patens). USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Rose Lake Plant Materials Center. East Lansing, Michigan 48823 Published March, 2013. For more information about this and other plants, please contact your local NRCS field office or

Fact Sheet

Alternate Names

Marshhay cordgrass

Uses

Saltmeadow cordgrass is used for shoreline protection and tidal marsh restorations, and is often utilized for levee stabilization and dune stabilization plantings near coastal beaches and on barrier islands. Saltmeadow cordgrass is an effective stabilizer used on interior mud flats, dredge fill sites, and other areas of loose and unconsolidated soils associated with marsh restoration. In its natural state on the tidal marshes, dense stands of this grass cause suspended solids to settle out of floodwaters and take up available nutrients. Saltmeadow cordgrass also provides food and cover too many terrestrial and aquatic species of wildlife and is considered an important forage species to livestock producers along the gulf coast. This species is the primary component of salt hay, which is utilized in the landscape and vegetable trade industry as weed seed free mulch.

Status

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s current status (e.g. threatened or endangered species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

Weediness

This plant may become weedy or invasive in some regions or habitats and may displace desirable vegetation if not properly managed. Please consult with your local NRCS Field Office, Cooperative Extension Service office, or state natural resource or agriculture department regarding its status and use. Weed information is also available from the PLANTS Web site at plants.usda.gov.

Description

This warm season, native, perennial grows from 1 to 4 feet tall, and spreads extensively by long slender rhizomes. Dark green stems emerge from the rhizomes. The rolled leaf blades are typically 1/2 to 1 foot long, and 0.1 to 0.2 inches wide. Leaf blades are shiny, dark green on the upper surface and rough with prominent veins on the lower surface. Leaves are drooping and wiry in appearance. From late June to October an inflorescence emerges at the end of the stem, which is composed of 2 to 10 two-inch-long spikelets. The numerous florets are 0.3 to 0.4 inches long and arranged in an overlapping scale-like fashion on each spikelet. The flowers are wind pollinated. Curtis Sharp USDA NRCS National Plant Materials Center Beltsville, MD

Adaptation and Distribution

Distribution , Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Saltmeadow Cordgrass.

Distribution

Saltmeadow cordgrass is commonly found growing in saline to brackish marshes, sandy beaches and low dunes, tidal flats and marsh ridges from normal high tide to about 13 feet above sea level, from Newfoundland to Quebec, south to Florida and along the Gulf Coast into south Texas; it can also be found along the shores of the Great Lakes. This grass is adapted to a wide range of soils from coarse sands to silty clay sediments with pHs ranging from 3.7 to 7.9. Saltmeadow cordgrass will tolerate irregular inundations with 0 to 35 parts per thousand salinity. For a current distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Website.

Establishment

Due to sparse seed production, saltmeadow cordgrass is usually propagated by vegetative stem divisions. Depending on the energy effecting the planting site, either containerized (high impact sites) or bare root (mild impact sites) plants can be utilized. Bare root material should contain 3 to 5 stems per planting unit, while containers should have at least 5 to 8 healthy stems. Bare root plugs are generally limited to planting sites that are exposed to little or no wave energy. Since most marsh sites are irregular and difficult to access, hand planting is normally employed, using spades, dibbles, or planting bars. If site conditions are right, planting can be carried out with a mechanical, tractor drawn transplanter. Plant spacing should be between 18 and 36 inches; up to 2 feet of lateral spread can be expected annually. In nursery rows, plants of saltmeadow cordgrass should be spaced 6 to 12 inches apart. Under ideal nursery conditions, each planting unit should be able to yield up to 50 stems in a single growing season. Effective weed control is essential to producing quality plants.

Management

Stems and rhizomes of this grass respond well to applications of well balanced commercial fertilizers. Plants propagated under nursery conditions may need to be irrigated if the site is not moist year round to encourage good growth and spread. Plants in production are usually placed on sandy textured soils and allowed to spread by rhizomes for 1 to 3 years, after which they are under-cut and uplifted for distribution.

Pests and Potential Problems

There are no detrimental pests documented to impact this species. Non-threatening rust-like funguses (orange fruiting bodies on leaves) are commonly found on S. patens plants. Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) There are several named cultivars available on the commercial market. In 1986, ‘Avalon’ (New Jersey) saltmeadow cordgrass was released for use in the coastal area north of the Carolinas by the Cape May Plant Material Center (PMC), in Cape May Court House, New Jersey. Soon after, ‘Flageo’ (North Carolina) was released by the Americus, Georgia and Brooksville, Florida PMCs for use on southern Atlantic and Gulf coasts. ‘Sharp’ (Louisiana) was released in 1994 by the Florida and Georgia PMCs for coastal back dune stabilization in the southern Atlantic and Gulf coast counties from Florida to Texas. It is also suited for use in inland areas from southern Georgia to southern Arkansas to stabilize shorelines, gullies, road banks, mine spoils, saline oil seep areas, and for nutrient reclamation in agricultural and municipal waste water irrigated fields. In 2003, ‘Gulf Coast’ marshhay cordgrass was released from the Golden Meadow PMC near Galliano, Louisiana for marsh restoration, shoreline and levee stabilization, stabilizing dredge fill sites, and restoration of coastal beaches and dunes. ‘Gulf Coast’ is found to be adapted to the coastal areas of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas.

Plant Traits

Growth Requirements

Morphology/Physiology

Reproduction

Suitability/Use

Saltmeadow Cordgrass

Saltmeadow Cordgrass