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| ## smooth cordgrass {#smooth-cordgrass .Title-Header}                 |
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| *Spartina alterniflora* Loisel.                                       |
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| Plant Symbol = SPAL                                                   |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program

![Color image of Smooth Cordgrass (Spartina
alterniflora)](media/image2.jpeg){width="2.1874015748031495in"
height="3.4791338582677165in"}

**Alternate Names**

Saltmarsh cordgrass, oystergrass, and saltwater cordgrass

##### Uses {#uses .Header-3}

Smooth cordgrass is the dominant emergent grass species found growing
along tidal salt marshes of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is utilized
extensively for erosion control along shorelines, canal banks, levees,
and other areas of soil water interface. Smooth cordgrass is an
effective soil stabilizer used on interior tidal mudflats, dredge-fill
sites, and other areas of loose and unconsolidated soils associated with
marsh restoration. Under natural conditions on tidal marshes, vigorous
stands of this grass will absorb wave energy and screen suspended solids
from intertidal waters, while uptaking available nutrients in the
sediments. As sediments accumulate, this plant will spread away from the
bank. It will tolerate petroleum contaminated soils. Smooth cordgrass
provides food and cover to a number of marsh birds and mammals and is
recognized as an important forage species for livestock producers along
the central gulf coast.

#####  {#section .Header-3}

##### Status {#status .Header-3}

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 {#weediness .Header-3}

This species is not native to the west coast of the U.S., where it 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, state
natural resource, or state agriculture department regarding its status
and use. Weed information is also available from the PLANTS Web site at
plants.usda.gov. Please consult the Related Web Sites on the Plant
Profile for this species for further information.

##### Description {#description .Header-3}

This long-lived, warm season perennial typically grows from 2 to 7 feet
tall, and spreads extensively by long hollow rhizomes. Soft, spongy
stems up to ½ inch in diameter emerge from the rhizomes. The flat leaf
blades are typically 12 to 20 inches long, tapering to a long
inward-rolled tip.

In September and October seedheads which are 10 to 12 inches long emerge
at the end of the stem. Each spike will hold from twelve to fifteen 2 or
3 inch long spikelets. The flowers are wind pollinated. There are
approximately 175,000 seeds per pound.

##### Adaptation and Distribution {#adaptation-and-distribution .Header-3}

Smooth cordgrass colonies tend to grow parallel to and continuous along
shorelines; the width and thickness of vegetative colonies are
controlled by a number of site specific conditions such as elevation,
shoreline slope, and frequency, depth and duration of flooding. It is
commonly found growing on open coastal marshes between high and low
tides from Newfoundland south to Florida and Texas. This grass can be
found growing on sandy aerobic or anaerobic soils with pHs ranging from
3.7 to 7.9. Smooth cordgrass will tolerate regular 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. It is not native along the U.S.
west coast.

##### Establishment {#establishment .Header-3}

Due to sparse and irregular seed production, smooth cordgrass is usually
propagated by vegetative stem divisions. Depending on the energy
effecting the planting site, either containerized (for high impact
sites) or bare root (for mild impact sites) plants can be utilized.
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 adequate, planting can be carried out with a
mechanical, tractor drawn transplanter. Plant spacing should be between
18 and 72 inches; 2 to 10 feet of lateral spread can be expected
annually. Smooth cordgrass grows at elevations ranging from mean high
tide and above. Planting at an excessively low elevation will result in
failure due to drowning and/or uprooting where wave energy is too high.
Plantings in deeper water have been successful, but plants are slow to
anchor and vegetative cover is sparse. Optimum water depths for
establishing plants are 1 to 18 inches.

Shoreline plantings are typically planted as a single or double row
running parallel to the shoreline. Transplants should be planted at the
mid-point between the high and low tide elevation. Plant spacing within
the row will vary according to the size of the transplant materials
being used and the rate at which full coverage is desired.

Open water area plantings across mudflats and dredge fill sites should
be designed to provide the greatest reduction in fetch length. Rows can
be placed across shallow water exchange points to create a passive
hydrologic barrier that will slow tidal exchange and trap suspended
sediments.

In nursery rows, plants of smooth cordgrass should be spaced 12 to 24
inches apart. Under ideal nursery conditions, each planting unit will
establish stands containing 25 culms per square foot. Extensive weed
control is essential to producing quality nursery grown plants.

##### Management {#management .Header-3}

Stem and rhizome growth of this grass respond well to applications of a
well balanced commercial fertilizers. The addition of 300-500 lbs/acre
of 10-10-10 fertilizer to a planting site or nursery bed is adequate to
stimulate growth and development. High nitrogen slow-release fertilizer
tables may be used with container grown plants and bare root
transplants. Plants propagated under nursery conditions are easily under
cut and uplifted for distribution.

On field sites there are a number of site-specific elements that should
be considered when working with smooth cordgrass. This include; plant
smothering from floating debris; herbivore grazing damage; poor water
circulation; soil load bearing properties; and shoreline configuration.

##### Pests and Potential Problems {#pests-and-potential-problems .Header-3}

Non-threatening rust-like fungi (orange fruiting bodies on leaves) are
commonly found on smooth cordgrass. Flower beetles may limit seed
production. The sugar cane borer can cause the decline and death of
stems.

In areas where nutria (*Myocaster coypus*) is a problem new planting may
need to be protected from predation.

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) {#cultivars-improved-and-selected-materials-and-area-of-origin .Header-3}

There are 2 named varieties available on the commercial market. In 1992,
'Bayshore' (Maryland) smooth cordgrass was released for use on Atlantic
coastal areas by the Cape May Plant Material Center, in Cape May Court
House, New Jersey. In 1989 'Vermilion' (Louisiana) was selected and
released by the Golden Meadows Plant Materials Center in Galliano,
Louisiana for use in the Gulf coastal areas. Other sources of local
ecotypes are available from commercial nurseries.

##### Prepared By {#prepared-by .Header-3}

Tony Bush, USDA NRCS Rose Lake Plant Materials Center, East Lansing,
Michigan

##### *Morris Houck*, USDA NRCS, Alexandria, Louisiana (additions 2008)

##### **Species Coordinator** {#species-coordinator .Header-4}

Tony Bush, USDA NRCS Rose Lake Plant Materials Center, East Lansing,
Michigan

#####  {#section-1 .Header-4}

##### Edited: 05Feb2002 JLK; 24may06jsp; 060817 jsp; 080917 jsp {#edited-05feb2002-jlk-24may06jsp-060817-jsp-080917-jsp .Header-4}

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

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