| smooth cordgrass | USDA PLANTS Symbol: SPAL U.S. Nativity: Native Habit: Grass or Grasslike |
| Spartina alterniflora Loisel. |
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Taxonomic Rank: Liliopsida: Cyperales: Poaceae |
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| Synonym(s): Atlantic cordgrass, saltmarsh cordgrass | |
| Native Range: Newfoundland to lower St. Lawrence R., Que, s. to NJ; Locally naturalized in w Europe ( Fernald 1950) | |
Smooth cordgrass is a perennial grass that expands via underground rhizomes. It is native to the eastern United States, but is considered invasive, in salt marshes, in California. Hollow stems grow from 2-4 ft. (0.6-1.2 m) tall. Leaves are 8-20 in. (20-50 cm) long, 1-8 in. (2.5-20 cm) wide and are often purplish at the base. Flowering occurs in July to November, when densely packed clusters of tan flowers develop. Smooth cordgrass was introduced on the west coast in the early 1970s to be used as erosion control. Plants have become extremely invasive in San Francisco Bay, Willapa Bay and Puget Sound. |
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Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources
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| Selected Images from Invasive.org | View All Images at Invasive.org |
 Infestation; John M. Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; John M. Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; John M. Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Stem(s); collar and sheath. Joseph M. DiTomaso, University of California - Davis, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
| EDDMapS Distribution: This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts and records obtained from USDA Plants Database. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org Alternative content
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 State(s) Where Reported invasive. Based on state level agency and organization lists of invasive plants from WeedUS database. Alternative content
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