NC Common Wetland Plants Guide: Spartina cynosuroides

Coefficient of Conservatism Values (more info)

Mountains

n/a

Piedmont

n/a

Coastal Plain

National Wetland Plant List Status (more info)

Eastern Mountains/Piedmont

n/a

Coastal Plain

OBL

FIELD ID CHARACTERISTICS:

Stems thick, round, and hollow; long, wide leaf blades with rough edges and rounded ridge on underside. Very large inflorescence, but fairly sparse spikelets.

Synonym(s): Sporobolus cynosuroides

Description: Tall, stout, upright perennial grass growing in stands, reaching 2 to 4 m; spreading by elongated rhizomes.

Leaves: Elongated, linear tapering leaf blades, up to 70 cm long and 1 to 2.5 cm wide with scabrous margins. Stems thick, round and hollow.

Flowers/Fruit: An open, terminal panicle with many spikes ascending and spreading. Spikelets usually 10 to 12 cm long. Flowers and fruits June to September.

Habit and Range: Brackish and fresh tidal marshes along the outer Coastal Plain or intermixed in marshes dominated by Juncus roemerianus (black needlerush).

Typical Max Plant Height (m):

Leaf Arrangement:

Alternate

Leaf Division:

Simple

Leaf Margin:

Entire

Leaf Shape:

Linear

Inflorescence Color:

Brown, Yellow, White

Fruit Color:

Brown

Lifespan:

Perennial

Group:

Monocot

Family:

Poaceae / Grass

Ecoregions Found In:

Coastal Plain, Outer Coast

COMMON CONFUSIONS:

Spartina cynosuroides (giant cordgrass) resembles the non-native Phragmites australis (common reed) and occupies much of the same habitat. P. australis has a denser inflorescence and stiff, straight leaf blades.

Click here to view Phragmites australis.

Link to side-by-side comparisons page