Smooth cordgrass

Spartina alterniflora


Invasive S. alterniflora

Native S. foliosa
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Background

Identification

  • Erect green stems, 1­1/2 to 7 feet tall, typically 2 to 4 feet.
  • Spike-like collection of small flowers.
  • Differences between non-native Spartina and native Spartina foliosa are subtle, and the two species hybridize.
  • In adjacent patches, S. alterniflora typically appears taller and more robust than S. foliosa.
  • Base of S. alterniflora stem typically reddish, while the stem of native S. foliosa appears green or white (see photos). Hybrid stems may or may not appear red. Any red coloration is indicative of S. alterniflora or hybrid.
Identification key (with photos) at: San Francisco Estuary Invasive Spartina Project web site (http://www.spartina.org).

Identification key in: Hickman, J. ed. 1993. The Jepson Manual: Higher Plants of California. University of California Press.

Growth and spread

  • Can spread from fragments of root or underground stem, often transported with tides. Seeds can float and may also be transported with tides (Daehler 2000).
  • Once established, plants spread laterally by vegetative shoots (Daehler 2000).

Habitat and local distribution

  • Lower elevation zone of salt marshes.
  • Native to east coast of US, present in San Francisco Bay from Point Pinole (San Pablo Bay) south to the sloughs of the South Bay.

For maps of distribution, refer to http://www.spartina.org.

Impacts

  • Grows lower in tidal range than native plant, reducing open mudflat habitat for shorebirds and other wildlife (Grossinger et al. 1998; Daehler 2000).
  • Clogs flood control channels and tidal marsh channels (Collins 2002).

Prevention and Control

Prevention

  • Plant S. foliosa in disturbed low-elevation tidal marsh areas.
  • Search threatened areas regularly (at least annually) to look for newly arrived plants.

General control notes

  • A large-scale invasive Spartina control project for San Francisco Bay and Delta was in process as this guide was published. In upcoming years this effort should produce the best control information for the region. Check the Invasive Spartina Project web site (address below) regularly.

Manual or mechanical control

(Daehler 2000)

  • Hand pulling—effective for small infestations and in soft substrates; underground stems (rhizomes) must also be removed.
  • Estimated costs: vary depending on if volunteers conduct removal and on the plant density (Gibbons et al. 1999). There may be additional fees for disposal of plant material.
  • Solarization—mow stems and cover with geotextile fabric or heavy-duty black plastic; covering must be well secured; most effective if covered for one or more years.

Biological control

  • Biological control agents—none have been approved by USDA; probably not a viable method due to potential risk to native California cordgrass (Daehler 2000).

Chemical control

  • Application of herbicides—2 to 5% glyphosate (Rodeo®) along with a surfactant recommended by hand spraying; apply at low tide for maximum exposure; more than one application may be necessary; only Rodeo® registered for use in estuarine wetlands (Daehler 2000).
  • Estimated costs: costs for materials and application by a contractor are approximately $250 per acre for glyphosate, depending on size of treatment area, scale of treatment, and herbicide dosage. It is recommended to contract a licensed professional for herbicide applications (Gibbons et al. 1999).

References and more information

Collins, J. 2002. Invasion of San Francisco Bay By Smooth Cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora: A Forecast of Geomorphic Effects On the Intertidal Zone. Report Prepared for US EPA Region 9. May 2002.

Daehler, C. 2000. Spartina alterniflora. In Invasive Plants of California Wildlands. Carla C. Bossard, John M. Randall, Marc C. Hoshovsky, Editors. University of California Press. Available at http://groups.ucanr.org/ceppc/Invasive_Plants_of_California's_Wildlands .

Gibbons, M.V., M.G. Rosenkranz, H.L. Gibbons, Jr., and M.D. Sytsma. 1999. Guide for Developing Integrated Aquatic Vegetation Management in Oregon. Center for Lakes and Reservoirs, Portland State University, Portland, OR.

Grossinger, R., J. Alexander, A. Cohen, and J. Collins. 1998. Introduced Tidal Marsh Plants in the San Francisco Estuary: Regional Distribution and Priorities for Control. San Francisco Estuary Institute, Oakland California.

San Francisco Estuary Invasive Spartina Project web site (http://www.spartina.org). Contents of site includes species ID sheets, invasion impacts, distribution maps, control program information, project documents, and related web sites.

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