Prairie Cordgrass

(Sporobolus michauxianus)

Prairie Cordgrass (Sporobolus michauxianus)

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Estimated Native Range
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Summary

Sporobolus michauxianus, commonly known as Prairie Cordgrass, is a deciduous perennial grass native to wet prairies, marshes, and riverbanks in the North-Central and Northeastern USA, as well as parts of Southern Canada. It can grow to a height of 3 meters (9.8 feet) with hard, sturdy, hollow stems emerging from a network of woody rhizomes. The extensive root system can penetrate over 3 meters (9.8 feet) into the soil, making it an excellent soil stabilizer. Its leaves are long, narrow, and have sharp, serrated edges. Prairie Cordgrass is particularly noted for its tolerance of flooding and saline conditions, making it useful for erosion control and wetland restoration projects.

In cultivation, Prairie Cordgrass thrives in full sun to part shade and requires high amounts of water, making it suitable for rain gardens, bioswales, and areas with poor drainage. It prefers soils with fast to medium drainage. While it is not commonly used in ornamental landscaping due to its aggressive growth, it is valuable for its environmental benefits. 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: 3-7 feet
  • Width: 4-7 feet
  • Growth Rate: Rapid
  • Flower Color: N/A
  • Flowering Season: Summer
  • Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Full Sun
  • Water: Medium
  • Drainage: Fast, Medium

Common Uses

Bird Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Erosion Control, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Salt Tolerant, Water Garden

Natural Habitat

Wet prairies, marshes, and riverbanks

Other Names

Common Names: Freshwater Cordgrass , Ripgut , Slough Grass , Tall Cordgrass , Chaume , Herbe À Liens , Spartine Pectinée

Scientific Names: Spartina pectinata , Sporobolus michauxianus , Spartina michauxiana , Spartina pectinata var. suttiei , Spartina pectinata f. pectinata , Spartina cynosuroides var. michauxiana , Spartina michauxiana var. suttiei , Spartina pectinata f. variegata , Spartina cynosuroides f. major , Spartina cynosuroides var. aureomarginata

GBIF Accepted Name: Sporobolus michauxianus (Hitchc.) P.M.Peterson & Saarela