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Useful Temperate Plants

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.
].

+ Synonyms

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

No Image.

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
Publication
 
Author
 
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 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
Publication
 
Author
 
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.
].
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
Publication
 
Author
 
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
 
Author
 
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 PotentialYes
Other Uses Rating *  *  *
HabitPerennial
Height0.80 m
PollinatorsWind
Self-fertileNo
Cultivation StatusWild

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
 
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
].
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
Publication
 
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
 
Author
 
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
 
Author
 
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
 
Author
 
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
 
Author
 
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
 
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.
Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2024-11-28. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Sporobolus+pumilus>

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