Sand Cordgrass

Scientific Name: Spartina bakeri Merr.

Sand Cordgrass

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

Plant Guide

Use a soil moisture meter to monitor the soil moisture where Sand Cordgrass is planted.

Fact Sheet

Uses

Sand cordgrass, burned in early fall, provides fair-quality grazing for cattle during winter and spring. It is tough and unpalatable during summer months.

Status

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s current status, such as, state noxious status and wetland indicator values.

Description

Grass Family (Poaceae). Sand cordgrass is a warm-season, robust bunch grass, native to the U.S. The height ranges from 3 to 5 feet. Leaf blade is flat and rolls inward when drying; 1/4 inch wide; upper surface is dark green, lower light green and coarse ridges on upper surface. Leaf sheath is rounded. Seedhead has 5 to 12 spikes, each 1-1/4 to 2-1/2 inches long, lying close to stem; spikelets grow on one side of rachis and seedhead 2 to 8 inches long.

Management

This grass increases on ranges that are grazed continuously, , Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Sand Cordgrass.

Establishment

Makes its major growth during spring. Seeds form during late May and June in most ranges, later in the northern parts. Vegetative growth continues until fall. Some basal leaves remain green during winter in south Florida. Mature plants often form bunches 18 to 20 inches in diameter. Adapted to margins of sand ponds and fresh marshes throughout range. During growing season, tolerates periodic flooding. Will not grow on saline soils. Cultivars, Improved and Selected Materials (and area of origin) Robert H. Mohlenbrock @ plants.usda.gov Please contact your local NRCS Field Office.

Plant Traits

Growth Requirements

Morphology/Physiology

Reproduction

Suitability/Use

Sand Cordgrass

Sand Cordgrass

Sand Cordgrass