Terrestrial Plants
Smooth cordgrass P
Spartina alterniflora
- Characteristics:
Slender, flat leaf blades that taper at the tip; leaves are yellow-green in the spring and summer, and brown in the fall and winter
- Range:
Atlantic coast of the U.S., the Gulf of Mexico coastline, invasive along the Pacific coast
- Size:
Height of grass depends on which zone of the salt marsh it is found in; in the low marsh, Spartina can reach heights up to 8ft (2.5m), but in the high marsh it may only reach 1ft (30cm) in height
- Habitat:
Throughout the marsh platform, especially tall along the shoreline of tidal creeks
- Fun Fact:
Spartina is the only grass with the adaptations needed to survive in the stressful low salt marsh environment:
- Glands along the blades excrete excess salt
- A root-rhizome system acts as an anchor, holding the grass steady against high wave energy; as salinity decreases it shares space with other species; the stems and root mats of Spartina are highly effective at accumulating fine sediment, thus helping combat sea level rise;
Spartina reproduces in three ways:
- Seeds disperse by wind and tides
- fragments of living plants break off and form new ones
- rhizomes can sprout new plants
Black needlerush P
Juncus roemerianus
- Characteristics:
Stiff, sharp green-black leaves
- Range:
MD to FL, the Gulf of Mexico
- Size:
Up to 6ft (2m) in height
- Habitat:
High marsh towards the upland border, or in elevated spots on the marsh platform
- Fun Fact:
Named needlerush because of sharp needle-like points at the end of the leaves; used in sweetgrass baskets
Glasswort P
Salicornia virginica
- Characteristics:
Round, fleshy, jointed branches
- Range:
Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the U.S.
- Size:
Patches range in size
- Habitat:
High marsh, can colonize bare areas such as salt pannes where other plants cannot survive
- Fun Fact:
Edible to humans and harvested as an accent for salads
Marsh elder P
Iva frutescens
- Characteristics:
- Upland shrub with pointed green succulent leaves
- Range:
- Atlantic coast of the U.S. and the Gulf of Mexico
- Size:
- 3-8ft (1-2.5m) in height
- Habitat:
- Marsh upland border
- Fun Fact:
- Acts as important nesting habitat for the marsh wren and red-winged blackbird
Saltgrass P
Distichlis spicata
- Characteristics:
- Thin, slender green leaves
- Range:
- Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the U.S., the Gulf of Mexico, and the northern coast of South America
- Size:
- 1-3ft (up to 1m) in height
- Habitat:
- High marsh towards the upland border, troughs of back dune areas
- Fun Fact:
- Saltgrass is an important food plant for butterflies
Saltmeadow cordgrass P
Spartina patens
- Characteristics:
- Long, shiny, dark green leaves
- Range:
- Atlantic coast of the U.S., the Gulf of Mexico, and along the shores of the Great Lakes
- Size:
- 1-4ft (up to 1m) in height
- Habitat:
- Marsh platform and sandy beaches
- Fun Fact:
- Can tolerate fresh, brackish, and salt water; sometimes difficult to distinguish between other upland grasses
Saltwort P
Batis maritima
- Characteristics:
Small, fleshy, club-shaped bright green leaves
- Range:
Southeast U.S. coast, the Gulf of Mexico, and coast of CA
- Size:
Patches range in size
- Habitat:
High marsh, often near salt pannes
- Fun Fact:
Retains salt in its leaves, similar to Salicornia; harvested for cooking purposes
Sea lavender P
Limonium carolinianum
- Characteristics:
- Smooth, green leaves with small light purple flowers
- Range:
- Atlantic coast of the U.S. and the Gulf of Mexico
- Size:
- Up to 1ft (30cm) in height
- Habitat:
- Brackish marshes, coastal beaches
- Fun Fact:
- Flowers are often harvested for floral arrangements; over-harvested in some areas
Sea ox-eye daisy P
Borrichia frutescens
- Characteristics:
- Leaves are fleshy and gray-green, with yellow flowers
- Range:
- Atlantic coast of the U.S. and the Gulf of Mexico
- Size:
- 2-4ft (up to 1m) in height
- Habitat:
- Upland border in the marsh, sometimes beach dunes
- Fun Fact:
- Sea ox-eye is an important source of nectar for butterflies; thick leaves help retain water during dry periods
