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Useful Temperate Plants

Sporobolus anglicus

(C.E.Hubb.) P.M.Peterson & Saarela

Poaceae


We are following the treatment by Paul M. Peterson et al; 'A molecular phylogeny and new subgeneric classification of Sporobolus (Poaceae: Chloridoideae: Sporobolinae)' Taxon 63 (6) December 2014; 1212-1243, whereby the genus Spartina is transferred to the genus Sporobolus[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].

+ Synonyms

Spartina × townsendii anglica (C.E.Hubb.) Lambinon & Maquet

Spartina anglica C.E.Hubb.

Common Name: Cord Grass

No Image.

General Information

Sporobolus anglicus is a vigorous, perennial grass, spreading freely by means of rhizomes and sometimes forming extensive colonies; it can grow 5 - 100cm tall[
1093
Title
Invasive Species Compendium
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.cabi.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An immense resource - in depth information on over 900 species of invasive plants (it also has information on animals, fungi etc).
].
The plant is occasionally harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is often used in soil stabilization and reclamation projects by the coast.
Sporobolus anglicus is an effective soil stabilizer near the coast and has been introduced for this purpose into several coastal regions in Europe, N. America, China, New Zealand and Australia. In many of these areas it has escaped into the native habitat, where its spread leads to the exclusion of native species such as Zostera species, Salicornia species., Puccinellia maritima and Halimione portalacoides. Considered to be an invasive weed by many, it is still planted in other areas due to the benefits gained from its growth[
1093
Title
Invasive Species Compendium
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.cabi.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An immense resource - in depth information on over 900 species of invasive plants (it also has information on animals, fungi etc).
].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

17
Title
Flora of the British Isles.
Publication
 
Author
Clapham, Tutin and Warburg.
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Year
1962
ISBN
-
Description
A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
,
266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.

Range

Europe - endemic to southern Britain

Habitat

Tidal mud flats and muddy shingle along the coast, sometimes extending into the water, and sometimes forming extensive colonies[
266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
]. It is found mainly in the region between the extent of the highest spring tides and the lowest (Neap) high tides[
1093
Title
Invasive Species Compendium
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.cabi.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An immense resource - in depth information on over 900 species of invasive plants (it also has information on animals, fungi etc).
].

Properties

Weed PotentialYes
Edibility Rating *  *
Other Uses Rating *  *  *
HabitPerennial
Height0.65 m
Growth RateFast
PollinatorsWind
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details


Succeeds in fresh or salt water marshes and also in ordinary garden soil[
162
Title
Ornamental Grasses.
Publication
 
Author
Grounds. R.
Publisher
Christopher Helm
Year
1989
ISBN
0-7470-1219-9
Description
Cultivation details of many of the grasses and bamboos. Well illustrated.
]. Prefers a deep rich moist soil in sun or light shade[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Successful establishment of the plant is more likely to occur in silt rather that sand sediments[
1093
Title
Invasive Species Compendium
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.cabi.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An immense resource - in depth information on over 900 species of invasive plants (it also has information on animals, fungi etc).
].
Sporobolus anglicus arose as a fertile species in southern England at Hythe, Southampton water during the nineteenth century. It was the result of chromosome doubling by Sporobolus × townsendii (2n=61-62), the sterile hybrid between the native small cord-grass Sporobolus maritimus (2n=60) and the introduced North American smooth cord-grass Sporobolus alterniflorus (2n=62). This is a classic example of allopolyploid speciation[
1093
Title
Invasive Species Compendium
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.cabi.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An immense resource - in depth information on over 900 species of invasive plants (it also has information on animals, fungi etc).
].
This species photosynthesizes by a more efficient method than most plants. Called the 'C4 carbon-fixation pathway', this process is particularly efficient at high temperatures, in bright sunlight and under dry conditions[
1093
Title
Invasive Species Compendium
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.cabi.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An immense resource - in depth information on over 900 species of invasive plants (it also has information on animals, fungi etc).
].

Edible Uses

Young stems - boiled[
177
Title
Plants for Human Consumption.
Publication
 
Author
Kunkel. G.
Publisher
Koeltz Scientific Books
Year
1984
ISBN
3874292169
Description
An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of Latin names with a brief list of edible parts.
].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant can accrete tidal sediment in considerable volumes, allowing for the substantial expansion in marsh elevation. It was this characteristic of the plant that was considered of value for coastal protection and reclamation projects, therefore causing the species to be intentionally introduced to coastal areas of the UK, Northern Europe, China, New Zealand and western USA). However in the UK along the south coast, after the initial spread, the plant has now died back, only occurring in sheltered estuarine conditions where mud flats are present[
1093
Title
Invasive Species Compendium
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.cabi.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An immense resource - in depth information on over 900 species of invasive plants (it also has information on animals, fungi etc).
]. In several other areas the plant has continued to thrive and spread[
1093
Title
Invasive Species Compendium
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.cabi.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An immense resource - in depth information on over 900 species of invasive plants (it also has information on animals, fungi etc).
].
Plant growth causes amelioration of saline soils allowing for the production of suitable substrates for the growth of agricultural crops. Sporobolus anglicus growth also causes sediments to have higher organic matter, porosity and pH than barren mud-flat sediment[
1093
Title
Invasive Species Compendium
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.cabi.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An immense resource - in depth information on over 900 species of invasive plants (it also has information on animals, fungi etc).
].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - requires light for germination. Seed is generally of low vigour - sow in a greenhouse in spring and only just cover the seed. Germination should take place within 2 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Plant out in the summer if sufficient growth has been made, otherwise overwinter them in a cold frame and plant them out in the following spring.
Division in spring. Very easy, it can also be carried out at other times of year, the divisions being planted direct into their permanent positions.
Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2024-03-28. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Sporobolus+anglicus>

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