Wetland Team Blog

It was a lovely, bright and hot day in the wetlands. We split off again to work in the meander ridge planting plants, and back in the potting shed to get some Jamaica sawgrass divided and repotted. Thanks to all our crew for making it out and making it work!

Plant of the Week

© Anna Armitage, at https://www.flickr.com /photos/annaarmitage/

Marsh Hay Cordgrass, Spartina patens

Marsh Hay Cordgrass or Spartina patens, is one of my personal favorite grasses. It forms expansive fields or meadows in the coastal regions (as testified in the picture with Charriss at San Bernard NWR). The grass has a significant root system and while it does generate a seed head with large seeds, the grass propagates primarily by rhizomes. While it can tolerate some minor salinity (tidal influxes), it does better in freshwater conditions. This wiry grass has two well-known cousins, Saltmarsh cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) and Prairie Cordgrass (Spartina pectinata).