Spartina pectinata

Spartina pectinata
File:Spartina pectinata.jpg
Conservation status
Secure (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Angiosperms
Class:	Monocots
Order:	Poales
Family:	Poaceae
Genus:	Spartina
Species:	S. pectinata
Binomial name
Spartina pectinata Bosc ex Link

Spartina pectinata is a species of cordgrass known by the common names prairie cordgrass, freshwater cordgrass, tall marshgrass, and sloughgrass. It is native to much of North America, including central and eastern Canada and most of the contiguous United States except for the southwestern and southeastern regions. Its distribution extends into Mexico. It is also present on other continents as an introduced species.

This grass has hard, sturdy, hollow stems that may reach 3 meters in height. They grow from a network of woody rhizomes and tough roots that form a sod. The roots penetrate over 3 meters deep into the soil. The leaves have sharp, serrated edges. The panicle may be up to 50 centimeters long and may have many branches. Each spikelet is up to 2.5 centimeters in length. This grass can spread via its rhizome, producing large monotypic stands.

This plant can grow in a variety of habitat types, but it is a facultative wetland species, most often found in wet habitats. These include fens, wet prairies, rivers, floodplains, ponds, moraines, and marshes. The grass is tolerant of water, but it does not tolerate prolonged flooding. Its dense root network stabilizes soil, even in areas where it would be eroded by flowing water.

Livestock may graze on this plant when it is young, but once it matures it becomes very coarse and unpalatable.

This species has been investigated as a possible source of biofuel.

External links

• USDA Plants Profile
• Photo gallery
• Spartina pectinata Photos, drawings, description from Nature Manitoba