Spartina spartinae

A clump forming grass with inrolled leaves which are sharp pointed on their tips and hurt when bumped.

Provides winter cattle and geese forage when burned and properly grazed. Good wildlife nesting habitat and cover, especially for wetland margin species. Good bird nesting habitat (Hatch et al 1999).

Known in Texas as Sacahuista, Spartina spartinae is one of five species of Spartina found along the gulf coast. The ranchers there often burn gulf cordgrass due to the palatability of new growth. Older growth is too tough and unpalatable, even for horses. It is abundant in tight, loamy or clayey, somewhat saline, poorly drained flats. It is often the dominate species near the coast in southeast Texas and the Rio Grande Plains, but is more scattered inland. In the United States it is restricted to Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas.

Tight loamy somewhat saline poorly drained flats, near coasts.