Its mature height depends on its proximity to the water. This grass has the scientific name Spartina alterniflora. and … If this important grass species goes away, so does the vast ecosystem it supports. A habitat is an ecological or environmental area that is inhabited by a particular species of animal, plant, or other type of organism. Height of grass depends on which zone of the salt marsh it is found in; in the low marsh, Spartina can reach heights up to 8ft (2.5m), but in the high marsh it may only reach 1ft (30cm) in height Spartina anglica is able to hybridize with S. alterniflora and was introduced to Puget Sound in 1961 (Hacker et al. Quick Facts. Images from the web. Long ago there was but one species of Spartina in the UK. We will credit the article with your name! Species n... Name of animal-plant: Horse conch So what is the importance of this grass? Green in spring and summer, turns light brown in late fall and winter. A shorter form, 6 to 12 inches high, occurs in low-oxygen areas of the high marsh. Spartina alterniflora Habitat:Spartina alterniflora (smooth cordgrass) is commonly found in salt marshes, tidal flats, and on beaches. The invasion of Spartina alterniflora is significant because of the rapid evolutionary process involved and the growing recognition of the biodiversity values of estuarine areas. ( Log Out /  This is of huge importance today. Smooth cordgrass will tolerate regular inundations with 0 to 35 parts per thousand salinity. They are well adapted physiologically to tolerate saline conditions with special salt … It was introduced in 1973 by the Army Corps of Engineers in an attempt to reclaim marshland, and was spread and replanted around the … Spartina alterniflora . Smooth Cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) Alternate common name: Saltwater Cordgrass, Marsh Grass. Rhizosphere oxidation by S. alterniflora, however, is not evident in seedlings and small colonizing patches and both seedlings and small colonizing patches of S. alterniflora are stunted in anoxic low marsh substrates. ( Log Out /  Influence of seed source upon phenology of flowering of Spartina alterniflora Loisel. Species name: Eschr... Name of animal-plant: California seablite This bacteria and fungi becomes suspended in the water column, which acts as a food source for a vast number of organisms, especially filter-feeders such as oysters, clams, and other invertebrates. This grass, many will argue, is probably the most important grass here in the Lowcountry (Don’t tell the people in the suburbs who spend tons of time and money keeping their lawns green and healthy with non-native, highly inbred grasses from all over the world). This grass can only grow in a specific tidal area where its roots can be exposed to air half the day and submerged in water the other half. Well, because it is the only plant growing in this area it is the primary producer of all energy within this habitat. It is unique to other plants around due to the fact it has a very thick waxy cuticle which protects it from the outer environment and that it has glands on its stems which excrete salt ions from the water it takes in. Species name: Spartina alterniflora. Due to the lack of competition and vast resources in the marsh habitat, this grass is able to grow in high quantities and take over anywhere they can become established. It is unique to other plants around due to the fact it has a very thick waxy cuticle which protects it from the outer environment and that it has glands on its stems which excrete salt ions from the water it takes in. Would you like to help us out? It is widely distributed along the Atlantic coast from Nova Scotia to Florida and extending to the Gulf of Mexico from Florida to Texas. Spartina alterniflora commonly known as smooth cord grass is a species that inhabits marsh habitat in its native range, where introduced It is known to establish itself in wave-protected mud and sand flats and grow very quickly into dense impenetrable stands. For a current distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Website. Species name: Lari... Would you like to help us out? This is not the variety that would grow in/on the water, though it is salt tolerant and normally can sustain salt water inundation 3-4 times per year (rather than daily as is the case with Spartina Alterniflora). Quick facts. Smooth Cord-grass, also known as oyster grass or saltwater cordgrass, is most recognizable as the tall grass found in wetlands. 2001). It grows in salt marshes and varies in height greatly. alterniflora, smooth cordgrass, is a critical component of the salt marsh vegetation community. Spartina alterniflora. Spartina alterniflora is native to the eastern coast of North America. Smooth Cordgrass - Spartina alterniflora is the Most Recognizable Tall Grass found in Wetlands. This allows these organisms to grow up in a safe and plentiful environment. S. alterniflora is a foundation species, whose loss decreases ecosystem services and potentiates ecosystem state change. We need more contributors, we need articles to our myths section!, you can mail your originalwork to helpout@whykids.org We will credit the article with your name! Using photosynthesis it is constantly producing energy which then get transferred to the rest of the ecosystem. Spartina alterniflora Loisel. Name of animal-plant: Gray whale Threat status Europe: Not evaluated (IUCN) The EUNIS species component has very limited information about this species. Populations of S. alterniflora also exist in Grays Harbor. The first part of the name identifies the genus to which the species belongs and  the second part identifies the species within the genus. Spartina alterniflora (smooth cordgrass) in the Coos Estuary Forms monoculture stands that overtake native plant communities. In this animals case it is: Spartina alterniflora. Grows 3 to 7 feet high. Among invasive species, aquatic plants pose serious threats to local biodiversity and ecosystem functions. Fish, shrimp, crab, oysters, and many other organisms depend upon this marsh grass habitat for refuge from predators and for a place where resources are readily available to them. It is the natural environment in which an organism lives, or the physical environment that surrounds a species population. If we ever need Spartina Patens (high marsh grass), they have thousands of plugs ($.35 per plug) and lots of seed. Habitat: Saltmarshes. Spartina species are perennial, deep-rooted (30 cm), rhizomatous, sward-forming erect grasses that mostly occupy low- to midtidal mudflats. However, the pathway of introduction of it is not known for this particular region. Range/Geographical Distribution: Along the east coast from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. Spartina alterniflora Loisel. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. This plant can be weedy or invasive according to the authoritative sources noted below.This plant may be known by one or more common names in different places, and some are listed above. Long-term records of the potential environmental … These habitats, being some of the most diverse on the plant, are dominated by one species of plant. We measured an array of biophysical and spectral variables to evaluate the response and recovery of Spartina alterniflora to a sudden dieback event in spring and summer 2004 within a low marsh in coastal Virginia, USA. Spartina alterniflora is considered a serious threat to coastal ecosystems in Washington and California. The bacteria and fungi also form a film on the top of the water which gets deposited on the mudflats during low tide and supplies marine worms, fiddler crabs, and other species with food. This grass has the scientific name Spartina alterniflora. Smooth Cordgrass. Spartina alterniflora is well established in San Francisco Bay, and has had the greatest impact of all the cordgrasses in San Francisco Bay. This plant is a grass species commonly called Smooth Cordgrass, or Spartina grass. Description: A large, coarse, green grass specially adapted to live in a saline environment. It has been reported that the invasion of Spartina alterniflora changed the soil microbial community in the mangrove ecosystem in China, especially the bacterial community, although the response of soil fungal communities and soil microbial ecological functions to the invasion of Spartina alterniflora remains unclear. Have fun at WhyKids, Smooth cordgrass – (HABITAT-wetland) See facts. Spartina alterniflora (smooth cordgrass) as an invasive halophyte in Pacific Northwest Estuaries. Species name: Pleu... Name of animal-plant: Silver drum Low Marsh Plant List; Saltmarsh cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora)Grows from 1-8 ft and blooms from August to October with 5-30 flower spikes. Talking “Birds” and Bees, Except Just Birds at Wild Birds Unlimited!! Change ). Size: Can reach eight feet in height. All animals and plants are given a species name based on a technical term in biological taxnomy. Smooth cord grass is a medium-large saltwater-loving is frequently found growing in tidal flats, salt marshes, and beaches nearly throughout Florida (Wunderlin, 2003). Red-headed Woodpeckers out for the Bird Count, Follow Jay's Nature Blog on WordPress.com. S. alterniflora thrives in anoxic low marsh habitats due to its ability to oxygenate its roots and rhizosphere. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. Species na... Name of animal-plant: Great-tailed grackle The main focus of the EUNIS species component is to provide relevant information about the European species protected by Directives, Conventions and Agreements. Along with its energy production, this grass also provides a safe haven for many larval organisms. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Native. This gives it the unique ability to grow in the higher salinity water on the sides of our tidal estuary habitats. These organisms are then consumed by other organisms and up the food chain we go. Larval food for Louisiana eyed silkmoth (Automeris louisiana)Native Habitats: Salt marsh, tidal flats, beaches. We need more contributors, we need articles to our myths section!, you can mail your originalwork to. webpage hosted by Wbskaper SEO services Norway, Share the knowledge!! Pick up order or have shipped to you. Hortus Northwest 6, 9–12, 38-40. ( Log Out /  Species. These are vastly diverse habitats that grow on the sides of our estuaries here in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. Exotic Spartina alterniflora has become widely distributed along most of the coastlines in China in a wide range of inundation frequencies. Order online from Green Seasons Wholesale Nursery in Parrish, Florida. Salt Meadow Cordgrass / Spartina patens for sale. Plant type: HABITAT. Spartina alterniflora (Smooth Cordgrass) is a species of marsh grass native to the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States, where it is considered a valuable plant making important contributions to the coastal ecology: Its dense growth provides protection against storm surge and “erosion control along shorelines, canal banks, levees, and other areas of… Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. The species name consists of two words and is based on Latin. The term typically refers to the zone in which the organism lives and where it can find food, shelter, protection and mates for reproduction. This was known as Spartina maritima. Most of the very species which fuel our local seafood economy are dependent upon these salt marsh habitats, and without this grass there is no marsh (since the definition of a marsh is a flooded grassland).