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(Sporobolus alterniflorus)
Smooth Cordgrass (Sporobolus alterniflorus)
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CK Kelly
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
CK Kelly
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: CK Kelly | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: CK Kelly | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2019-05-29T02:27:54Z |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Sporobolus alterniflorus, commonly known as smooth cordgrass, saltmarsh cordgrass, or salt-water cordgrass, is a perennial, deciduous grass native to coastal salt marshes and intertidal wetlands along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of North America and South America. It typically grows 1–1.5 m (3 ft 3 in – 4 ft 11 in) tall, with smooth, hollow stems and long, narrow leaves that can reach 20–60 cm (7.9 in – 1 ft 11.6 in) in length and 1.5 cm (1⁄2 in) wide at the base. The leaves are sharply tapered and bend downward at the tips. This grass is particularly noted for its ability to tolerate and stabilize salty environments, making it a key species in its native habitat for erosion control and wildlife support.
Sporobolus alterniflorus is valued for its ecological role in cultivation, where it is used for shoreline stabilization, habitat restoration, and as a biofilter to remove excess nutrients from water. It thrives in full sun and requires high amounts of water, making it suitable for wetland gardens and restoration projects. It prefers soils with medium to slow drainage and can adapt to a range of soil types, as long as they are saline. While it is not typically grown for ornamental purposes, its dense growth habit can provide a natural, grassy aesthetic in appropriate settings. Gardeners should be aware of its potential to spread and should manage it accordingly to prevent unwanted colonization.CC BY-SA 4.0
Sporobolus alterniflorus is valued for its ecological role in cultivation, where it is used for shoreline stabilization, habitat restoration, and as a biofilter to remove excess nutrients from water. It thrives in full sun and requires high amounts of water, making it suitable for wetland gardens and restoration projects. It prefers soils with medium to slow drainage and can adapt to a range of soil types, as long as they are saline. While it is not typically grown for ornamental purposes, its dense growth habit can provide a natural, grassy aesthetic in appropriate settings. Gardeners should be aware of its potential to spread and should manage it accordingly to prevent unwanted colonization.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Grass
- Height: 3-5 feet
- Width: 0.6-1 feet
- Growth Rate: Rapid
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: High
- Drainage: Medium, Slow
Common Uses
Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Erosion Control, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Water Garden
Natural Habitat
native to coastal salt marshes and intertidal wetlands along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of North America and South America
Other Names
Common Names: Salt Marsh Cordgrass, Salt-Water Cordgrass
Scientific Names: , Spartina alterniflora, Sporobolus alterniflorus, Spartina alternifolia, Spartina brasiliensis, Spartina alterniflora var. glabra, Spartina alterniflora var. pilosa, Spartina fasciculata, Spartina glabra, Trachynotia alterniflora
GBIF Accepted Name: Sporobolus alterniflorus (Loisel.) P.M.Peterson & Saarela