Sporobolus pumilus
(Roth) 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.
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Dactylis patens Aiton
Limnetis juncea (Michx.) Rich.
Spartina americana Roth ex Trin.
Spartina juncea (Michx.) Willd.
Spartina patens (Aiton) Muhl.
Spartina platensis Mez ex St.-Yves
Spartina pumila Roth
Trachynotia juncea Michx.
Trachynotia patens (Aiton) Poir.
Common Name: Saltmeadow Cordgrass
General Information
Sporobolus pumilus is a perennial grass producing culms 30 - 120cm tall. It spreads freely by means of long, slender rhizomes[
277- Title
- Plants Database
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- http://plants.usda.gov/java/factSheet
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- United States Department of Agriculture
- Year
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- ISBN
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- An online database with an excellent collection of fact sheets about native N. American plants.
].
The plant is harvested from the wild on a commercial basis to provide a weed-free mulch that is used in landscaping. The plant is often utilized in soil stabilization projects - several cultivars have been develped for this purpose[
277- Title
- Plants Database
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- Website
- http://plants.usda.gov/java/factSheet
- Publisher
- United States Department of Agriculture
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
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- Description
- An online database with an excellent collection of fact sheets about native N. American plants.
].
This species may become weedy or invasive in some regions or habitats outside its native range, where it may displace desirable vegetation if not properly managed. It is considered an invasive plant in Washington and Oregon[
277- Title
- Plants Database
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- Author
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- Website
- http://plants.usda.gov/java/factSheet
- Publisher
- United States Department of Agriculture
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An online database with an excellent collection of fact sheets about native N. American plants.
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
Range
Eastern N. America - Ontario to Newfoundland, south to northern Mexico, Texas and Florida; Caribbean - Bahamas, Cuba to Puerto Rico & Windward Isles
Habitat
Saline to brackish marshes, sandy beaches and low dunes, tidal flats and marsh ridges. It can inhabit foredunes and primary dunes, and can survive in saturated soil conditions[
277- Title
- Plants Database
- Publication
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- Author
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- Website
- http://plants.usda.gov/java/factSheet
- Publisher
- United States Department of Agriculture
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An online database with an excellent collection of fact sheets about native N. American plants.
].
Properties
Weed Potential | Yes |
Other Uses Rating | |
Habit | Perennial |
Height | 0.80 m |
Pollinators | Wind |
Self-fertile | No |
Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
Sporobolus pumilus is found mainly in coastal habitats from the cold temperate regions of northeastern Canada to the tropical regions of the Caribbean. The mean annual rainfall is generally within the range 1,190 - 1,150mm[
1050- Title
- Fire Effects Information System
- Publication
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- Author
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- http://www.feis-crs.org/feis/
- Publisher
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- Year
- 0
- ISBN
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- Description
- An on-line information site with comprehensive information on over 1,100 species of plant. Mainly developed to supply information on the effects of fire on plants and animals, it also contains a wealth of other information on the plants
].
Requires a sunny position. In the wild, the plant is found on two main types of soil - it occurs on peat deposits of varying depths and also in mineral soils comprised of outwash material or soils deposited by tidal and wave action[
1050- Title
- Fire Effects Information System
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- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.feis-crs.org/feis/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An on-line information site with comprehensive information on over 1,100 species of plant. Mainly developed to supply information on the effects of fire on plants and animals, it also contains a wealth of other information on the plants
].
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
None known
Agroforestry Uses:
The plant 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. It is an important species for dissipating wave energy in low topography relief coastlines[
277- Title
- Plants Database
- Publication
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- Author
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- Website
- http://plants.usda.gov/java/factSheet
- Publisher
- United States Department of Agriculture
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An online database with an excellent collection of fact sheets about native N. American plants.
].
It is an effective stabilizer used on interior mud flats, dredge fill sites, and other areas of loose and unconsolidated soils associated with marsh restoration, colonies can, however, be buried and killed by sand accumulation of 90cm or more[
277- Title
- Plants Database
- Publication
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- Author
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- Website
- http://plants.usda.gov/java/factSheet
- Publisher
- United States Department of Agriculture
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An online database with an excellent collection of fact sheets about native N. American plants.
].
The plant has been observed to inhibit the spread of aggressive rhizomatous species such as Phragmites australis[
277- Title
- Plants Database
- Publication
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- Author
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- Website
- http://plants.usda.gov/java/factSheet
- Publisher
- United States Department of Agriculture
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An online database with an excellent collection of fact sheets about native N. American plants.
].
The plant may play an important role for remediating and restoring marshes after oil spills. Coastal wetlands where it is the dominant species are predicted to recover from oil spills without additional intervention procedures[
277- Title
- Plants Database
- Publication
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- Author
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- Website
- http://plants.usda.gov/java/factSheet
- Publisher
- United States Department of Agriculture
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An online database with an excellent collection of fact sheets about native N. American plants.
]
Other Uses
This species is the primary component of salt hay, which is utilized in the landscape and vegetable trade industry of N. America as a weed-seed free mulch[
277- Title
- Plants Database
- Publication
-
- Author
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- Website
- http://plants.usda.gov/java/factSheet
- Publisher
- United States Department of Agriculture
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An online database with an excellent collection of fact sheets about native N. American plants.
].
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.
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