These commonly occur as isolated wetlands interspersed among other vegetation types, especially scrub and slash pine flatwoods . Cabbage palm savanna has an open or scattered canopy of cabbage palm and an understory of sand cordgrass and other graminoids. In marshes with longer hydroperiods, sand cordgrass dominates. Bloodroot is a common food item of Feral Hogs that cause much damage to KSC marshes by their rooting activities.
Flooding is often seasonal, although some remain flooded for the entire year.
Graminoid marshes are used by many endangered and potentially endangered species but are required habitat for only a few. Several amphibian species breed in these ponds but live their adult lives in the uplands. Many of the species breed primarily or exclusively in wetlands that are ephemeral and often small. Some Florida isolated wetlands are important habitat for several wading birds including Wood Storks. A few priority species such as King Rails and perhaps Least Bitterns nest within these marshes.