+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| ## saltmeadow cordgrass {#saltmeadow-cordgrass .Title-Header}         |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| *Spartina patens* (Ait.) Muhl.                                        |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Plant Symbol = SPPA                                                   |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

Contributed by: USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program

![Color image of Saltmeadow Cordgrass (Spartina patens) by Curtis
Sharp.](media/image2.jpeg){width="2.2700787401574805in" height="3.0in"}

##### Alternate Names {#alternate-names .Header-3}

##### Marshhay cordgrass {#marshhay-cordgrass .Header-3}

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

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

Saltmeadow cordgrass is used for shoreline protection and tidal marsh
restorations, and is often utilized for levee stabilization and dune
stabilization plantings near coastal beaches and on barrier islands.
Saltmeadow cordgrass is an effective stabilizer used on interior mud
flats, dredge fill sites, and other areas of loose and unconsolidated
soils associated with marsh restoration. In its natural state on the
tidal marshes, dense stands of this grass cause suspended solids to
settle out of floodwaters and take up available nutrients. Saltmeadow
cordgrass also provides food and cover too many terrestrial and aquatic
species of wildlife and is considered an important forage species to
livestock producers along the gulf coast. This species is the primary
component of salt hay, which is utilized in the landscape and vegetable
trade industry as weed seed free mulch.

##### 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 plant 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, or state natural resource or agriculture department regarding
its status and use. Weed information is also available from the PLANTS
Web site at plants.usda.gov.

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

This warm season, native, perennial grows from 1 to 4 feet tall, and
spreads extensively by long slender rhizomes. Dark green stems emerge
from the rhizomes. The rolled leaf blades are typically 1/2 to 1 foot
long, and 0.1 to 0.2 inches wide. Leaf blades are shiny, dark green on
the upper surface and rough with prominent veins on the lower surface.
Leaves are drooping and wiry in appearance. From late June to October an
inflorescence emerges at the end of the stem, which is composed of 2 to
10 two-inch-long spikelets. The numerous florets are 0.3 to 0.4 inches
long and arranged in an overlapping scale-like fashion on each spikelet.
The flowers are wind pollinated.

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

Saltmeadow cordgrass is commonly found growing in saline to brackish
marshes, sandy beaches and low dunes, tidal flats and marsh ridges from
normal high tide to about 13 feet above sea level, from Newfoundland to
Quebec, south to Florida and along the Gulf Coast into south Texas; it
can also be found along the shores of the Great Lakes. This grass is
adapted to a wide range of soils from coarse sands to silty clay
sediments with pHs ranging from 3.7 to 7.9. Saltmeadow cordgrass will
tolerate irregular 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.

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

Due to sparse seed production, saltmeadow cordgrass is usually
propagated by vegetative stem divisions. Depending on the energy
effecting the planting site, either containerized (high impact sites) or
bare root (mild impact sites) plants can be utilized. Bare root material
should contain 3 to 5 stems per planting unit, while containers should
have at least 5 to 8 healthy stems. Bare root plugs are generally
limited to planting sites that are exposed to little or no wave energy.
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 right, planting can be carried out with a
mechanical, tractor drawn transplanter. Plant spacing should be between
18 and 36 inches; up to 2 feet of lateral spread can be expected
annually.

In nursery rows, plants of saltmeadow cordgrass should be spaced 6 to 12
inches apart. Under ideal nursery conditions, each planting unit should
be able to yield up to 50 stems in a single growing season. Effective
weed control is essential to producing quality plants.

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

Stems and rhizomes of this grass respond well to applications of well
balanced commercial fertilizers. Plants propagated under nursery
conditions may need to be irrigated if the site is not moist year round
to encourage good growth and spread. Plants in production are usually
placed on sandy textured soils and allowed to spread by rhizomes for 1
to 3 years, after which they are under-cut and uplifted for
distribution.

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

There are no detrimental pests documented to impact this species.
Non-threatening rust-like funguses (orange fruiting bodies on leaves)
are commonly found on *S. patens* plants.

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

There are several named cultivars available on the commercial market. In
1986, 'Avalon' (New Jersey) saltmeadow cordgrass was released for use in
the coastal area north of the Carolinas by the Cape May Plant Material
Center (PMC), in Cape May Court House, New Jersey. Soon after, 'Flageo'
(North Carolina) was released by the Americus, Georgia and Brooksville,
Florida PMCs for use on southern Atlantic and Gulf coasts. 'Sharp'
(Louisiana) was released in 1994 by the Florida and Georgia PMCs for
coastal back dune stabilization in the southern Atlantic and Gulf coast
counties from Florida to Texas. It is also suited for use in inland
areas from southern Georgia to southern Arkansas to stabilize
shorelines, gullies, road banks, mine spoils, saline oil seep areas, and
for nutrient reclamation in agricultural and municipal waste water
irrigated fields. In 2003, 'Gulf Coast' marshhay cordgrass was released
from the Golden Meadow PMC near Galliano, Louisiana for marsh
restoration, shoreline and levee stabilization, stabilizing dredge fill
sites, and restoration of coastal beaches and dunes. 'Gulf Coast' is
found to be adapted to the coastal areas of Louisiana, Mississippi, and
Texas.

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

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

##### *Morris Houck*, USDA NRCS Louisiana State Office, Alexandria, Louisiana (additions 2008) {#morris-houck-usda-nrcs-louisiana-state-office-alexandria-louisiana-additions-2008 .Header-3}

#####  {#section-1 .Header-3}

##### Species Coordinator:  {#species-coordinator .Header-3}

USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program

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

##### 05Feb2002 JLK; 24may06jsp; 15jun07 jmg; 29jun07 jsp; 080913mjh; 080916jsp {#feb2002-jlk-24may06jsp-15jun07-jmg-29jun07-jsp-080913mjh-080916jsp .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/)\>

*The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in
all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases
apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication of program information (Braille,
large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s [TARGET
Center](http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm) at 202-720-2600 (voice and
TDD).*

*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or
TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.*

*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Conservation
Service](http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/civilrights/).*