Spartina cynosuroides (Big Cordgrass)

A highly productive detritus contributor to tidal wetlands, big cordgrass helps make brackish and freshwater marshes fertile nursery habitat for many fish species - while tolerating brackish and saline conditions robustly enough to anchor shoreline stabilization projects across a wide salinity range.

Species Overview

Spartina cynosuroides, commonly called big or giant cordgrass, is a robust, rhizomatous perennial grass native to coastal and freshwater tidal marshes from Massachusetts to Texas, reaching 6 to 10 feet tall. Flat, rough-margined leaf blades up to 24 inches long support seed heads that appear in late summer atop thick, round stems.

Application

• Brackish and freshwater tidal marsh restoration
• Shoreline stabilization - highly tolerant of brackish and saline conditions
• Fish nursery habitat support via detritus contribution to tidal wetlands
• Wetland wildlife cover and grazing plantings

Growing Conditions / Specification Data

• Light: Full Sun
• Soil/Moisture Tolerance: Wet, brackish to saline soils; coastal and freshwater tidal marshes
• Plant Type: Graminoid
• Mature Height: 8-15 ft.
• Fall Color: Insignificant/None
• Wetland Indicator Status: NI (No Indicator) - see flags
• Native Range: Northeast/Mid-Atlantic (full list)
• Pollinator Value: None significant - wind-pollinated brackish marsh grass, no meaningful nectar or pollen resource.
• Hydrology: Moist-Wet
• Root Depth: Deep (24-36 in.)
• Growth Rate: Rapid
• Drought Tolerance: Low
• Deer Resistance: Yes (Rarely Damaged)
• Shade Tolerance: Intolerant
• Salinity Tolerance: Moderate
• Flood Tolerance: High - A brackish marsh grass found in regularly flooded tidal zones, consistent with this species' already-confirmed brackish marsh habitat profile from earlier work.
• Growth Habit: Spreading - rhizomatous
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9

Planting Guidance

• Can be grazed by cattle; ducks and geese feed on tender shoots that regrow after marshes are burned in early fall. Blends well with salt hay and smooth cordgrass in mixed marsh restoration plantings.