Spartina patens

Stems with nodes and leaves, leaf blades rolled and pointed, sand-papery n upper side. Sterile plants of Spartina patens are sometimes confused with Spartina spartineae, which does not have cauline leaves, and the tips of its leaves are usually sharp. Muhlenbergia capillaris also looks similar when sterile, with inrolled leaf blades and cauline leaves, but it has a two to three mm long membranous ligule, distinguishing it from Spartina patens which has a ligule that is a 1-1.5 mm long fringe of hairs.

Provides desirable forage for cattle and good wildlife cover, especially for geese and muskrats (Hatch et al 1999).

One of five species of Spartina found along the gulf coast. A frequent species in brackish to saline areas of the Louisiana coastal marsh. It ranges throughout the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Coasts and the shores of the Great Lakes. A rhizomatous form is widespread on beaches, sandy flats, and tidal flats on the lower gulf coast, while a tufted form is found on bayous, marshlands, and prairies of the upper coastal region (Hatch et al. 1999). The Acadian French name for this cordgrass is "paille chat tigre" or panther straw. This name is also used for Juncus roemerianus (Holmes 1990).

Sandy locations, seasonally moist soil near the coast, brackish marshes, low dunes, and other saline situations inland.