Distichlis spicata
coastal salt grass, desert saltgrass, marsh spikegrass, saltgrass, inland saltgrass, seashore saltgrass
Family
Poaceae
Leaf Arrangement
alternate
Leaf Attachment
sheathing
Leaf Type
simple
Leaf Shape
linear
Growth Form
graminoid
Flower Color
inconspicuous
Flower Month
June - October
Height (meters)
0.1 - 0.5
Milky Sap
No
Armed/Unarmed
Unarmed
Origin
native
Lifespan
perennial
Wetland Class
FACW
Wetland Coefficient of Conservatism
9
Field Characters
Leaves in 2 ranks, at 45° angle, 1 – 3 mm wide. Up to 60 cm tall. Ligule transparent, 0.5-1 mm long. Spreading by rhizomes.
Animal Use
Saltgrass is rather harsh and tough for good pasturage but it is grazed some during early growth stages when it is more palatable to livestock.
Habitat
Brackish marshes and flats.