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Poaceae
Distichlis

not marked as a favorite taxon Distichlis spicata (Linnaeus) Greene. Common name: Saltgrass, Spike Grass, Paille salée (frc). Phenology: Late May-Oct. Habitat: Coastal marshes and shores, especially common in hypersaline flats or "salt pannes" (where infrequent tidal inundation is followed by evaporation, concentrating the salinity). Distribution: Widespread in the Americas, along coastal shores and rarely inland in saline seeps (such as in Missouri; Yatskievych 1999).

Glossary (beta!)

ID notes: Sporobolus virginicus is superficially similar to Distichlis spicata in overall aspect (a rhizomatous grass in coastal saline conditions with distichous leaf arrangement), but is generally more delicate and has hairy sheath margins and collar (vs. coarser and glabrous in Distichlis spicata).

Origin/Endemic status: Native

Taxonomy Comments: Two varieties (or subspecies or species) have often been recognized: var. spicata ranging along the Atlantic coast from NS and PE south to tropical America, and on the Pacific coast of North America, and var. stricta (Torrey) Lamson-Scribner widespread in saline situations in western North America. Recognition of two taxa has generally been viewed unfavorably in recent decades (e.g. Barkworth in FNA 2003a), but Bell, Harrington, & Reid (2025) make a strong case for their recognition on cytological, morphological, and ecological grounds.

Other Comments: "One of the chief components of 'marsh hay' " (Tatnall (1946).

Synonymy ⓘ: = F, G, HC, K1, S, Tat, Bell, Harrington, & Reid (2025); = Distichlis spicata (L.) Greene ssp. spicata; = Distichlis spicata (L.) Greene var. spicata — C, Mo1, Tx; < Distichlis spicata (L.) Greene — Ar, Bah, Can, ETx1, FlGr, FNA25, GW1, K4, Meso6, Mex, NcTx, NE, NS, NY, Pa, POWO, RAB, S13, SFla, Va, WH3; > Distichlis stricta (Torr.) Rydb. — G, HC. Basionym: Uniola spicata L. 1753

Links to other floras: < Distichlis spicata - FNA25

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Wetland Indicator Status:

  • Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: OBL
  • Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACW
  • Great Plains: FACW
  • Midwest: FACW
  • Northcentral & Northeast: FACW

Heliophily ⓘ: 9

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Horticultural Information

No horticultural data found for this taxon.