Sporobolus virginicus (Linnaeus) Kunth. Common name: Seashore Dropseed, Coastal Dropseed. Phenology: Sep-Oct (-Aug). Habitat: Salt marshes, tidal mud flats, and low dunes in the outer Coastal Plain. Distribution: Se. NC along the coast to TX and south through Mexico and Central America to n. South America (its alleged occurrence in se. VA is apparently incorrect); West Indies; also native in e. Asia, Africa, Australia and the Pacific region (Simon & Jacobs 1999).

ID notes: Sporobolus virginicus is similar in aspect and growth form to Distichlis spicata, with which it occurs in tidal flats. Sporobolus virginicus is more delicate, and typically has long hairs on either side of the collar of the sheath; Distichlis spicata is generally a coarser plant, and is glabrous around the collar of the sheath.

Origin/Endemic status: Native

Taxonomy Comments: Sporobolus virginicus is currently treated as a polymorphous and very widespread species, with a wide range of morphology and several ploidy levels (Simon & Jacobs 1999).

Synonymy ⓘ: = Bah, C, F, FlGr, FNA25, G, GW1, HC, K4, Meso6, RAB, S, S13, SFla, Tx, WH3; = n/a — Tat; Agrostis virginica Linnaeus. Basionym: Agrostis virginica L. 1753

Links to other floras: = Sporobolus virginicus - FNA25

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Wetland Indicator Status:

• Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACW
• Great Plains: FACW

Heliophily ⓘ: 9