{"product_id":"spartina-alterniflora-smooth-cordgrass","title":"Spartina alterniflora (Smooth Cordgrass)","description":"\u003cp\u003eA true coastal ecosystem engineer, smooth cordgrass's dense rhizome system binds coastal mud while its sturdy stems slow wave action and trap sediment, actively raising marsh elevation over time - and its documented role as an important food source for West Indian manatees and snow geese underscores its outsized ecological reach.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecies Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSpartina alterniflora, or smooth cordgrass, is the dominant grass species of tidal salt marshes and beaches along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, forming dense rhizomatous colonies that eventually merge into extensive meadows. Stiffly erect, hollow stems reach 3 to 8 feet, with densely packed tan flower clusters appearing in summer and fall.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApplication\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSalt marsh and coastal shoreline restoration - foundational marsh-building species\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eErosion control on canal banks and tidal shorelines\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWildlife habitat - confirmed food source for West Indian manatees, snow geese, and fish\/shellfish nurseries\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLand reclamation projects via sediment trapping and elevation building\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowing Conditions \/ Specification Data\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full Sun\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\/Moisture Tolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Wet, brackish to saline soils; adaptable from coarse sands to clays and mucks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Graminoid\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature Height:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4-8 ft.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall Color:\u003c\/strong\u003e Insignificant\/None\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWetland Indicator Status:\u003c\/strong\u003e NI (No Indicator) - see flags\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNative Range:\u003c\/strong\u003e Northeast\/Mid-Atlantic (full list)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePollinator Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e None significant - wind-pollinated salt marsh grass, no meaningful nectar or pollen resource.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHydrology:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moist-Wet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRoot Depth:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deep (24-36 in.)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rapid\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDrought Tolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Low\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDeer Resistance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes (Rarely Damaged)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShade Tolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Intolerant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSalinity Tolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e High - 8-33 ppt ideal establishment\/growth range, tolerant to ~60 ppt (USDA NRCS Plant Guide; peer-reviewed growth studies)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlood Tolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e High - The dominant grass of the regularly-flooded low salt marsh zone, consistent with this species' already-extensively-confirmed salinity and tidal inundation tolerance from earlier work.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Habit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spreading - rhizomatous\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Hardiness Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4-9\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Guidance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIMPORTANT:\u003c\/strong\u003e while native and ecologically foundational along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, this species has been introduced to the West Coast and internationally, where it has become an invasive threat to native coastal plant communities - site only within its native East\/Gulf Coast range. Establishes poorly under freshwater conditions; best planted at the mean high tide line in brackish to saline soils.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Pinelands Nursery","offers":[{"title":"50 Cell 2\" Plug","offer_id":48941157711943,"sku":"SPA-ALT 50CELL","price":82.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0675\/1649\/7991\/files\/01010125.jpg?v=1790775502","url":"https:\/\/www.pinelandsnursery.com\/products\/spartina-alterniflora-smooth-cordgrass","provider":"Pinelands Nursery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}