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AquaPlantA Diagnostics Tool for Pond Plants and Algae
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Salt Grass

Distichlis spicata

Salt Grass Locations in North America
Salt Grass Locations in Southeast US
salt grass flower

salt grass full view

What is Salt Grass?

Physical Characteristics

Leaves:

  • Grass
  • Opposite
  • Stiff
  • Flat, folded or rolled
  • Sharp point at tip
  • 1-6 inches long
  • 0.25 inches wide

Flowers:

  • Wide
  • Spikey
  • Up to 3 inches long
  • Spikelets tan

Seeds:

  • Small nut
  • Smooth
  • Oval-shaped
  • 0.06 inches long

Stem:

  • Grow from rhizomes
  • Up to 2 feet tall
  • Rigid texture

Where Does it Grow?

Salt grass can be found in brackish coastal marshes.

Pros and Cons of Salt Grass

Salt grass is an important food source for birds and geese. Submerged portions of all aquatic plants provide habitats for many micro and macro invertebrates. These invertebrates in turn are used as food by fish and other wildlife species (e.g. amphibians, reptiles, ducks, etc.). After aquatic plants die, their decomposition by bacteria and fungi provides food (called “detritus”) for many aquatic invertebrates.

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Photo Credits: The majority of the aquatic plant line drawings are the copyright of the University of Florida Center for Aquatic Plants (Gainsville). They are used with permission.

Aquatic plant photographs were provided by David Bayne, Jim Davis, Kelly Duffie, Billy Higginbotham, Michael Masser, John Clayton, Chetta Owens, Diane Smith, Joe Snow, Don Steinbach, Bridget Robinson Lassiter and Peter Woods.

You may use these photos, so long as you give credit to AquaPlant.

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