Cape cordgrass (Sporobolus maritimus, Taxon 63: 1236 (2014))

Family: Poaceae

Author: (Curtis) P.M.Peterson & Saarela

Bibliography: Taxon 63: 1236 (2014)

Year: 2014

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Sporobolus

Vegetable: False

Observations: W. & SC. Europe, Morocco to Mauritania, Namibia to Cape Prov.

Description

Cape cordgrass, scientifically known as Sporobolus maritimus, belongs to the Poaceae family, a significant group that includes various grasses. This distinctive grass species has garnered attention within the botanical community, as noted in the influential publication in Taxon (63: 1236) in 2014 by authors (Curtis) P.M. Peterson & Saarela.

The natural habitat of Cape cordgrass spans a diverse geographical range. In Europe, its presence is marked in regions of Western and Southern Europe. Spanning beyond the European continent, this species is also found along the western coast of Africa, from Morocco stretching down to Mauritania, and further south to Namibia, extending to the Cape Province. These regions are characterized by specific climatic and environmental conditions that support the growth and proliferation of Sporobolus maritimus.

This particular species is of notable interest due to its adaptive capabilities to coastal environments, which makes it an important subject for ecological and environmental studies, particularly in the context of coastal vegetation and habitat conservation. The presence and health of Cape cordgrass can be indicative of the state of the coastal ecosystems it inhabits, thus providing valuable insight for botanists and environmental scientists alike.

Common Names

En: Cape cordgrass, Small cordgrass, Small cord-grass, Small cord grass, Common Cord-grass, Seabeach Cordgrass
Af: Strandkweek
Ar: عشب الحبل الصغير
Ca: Spartina maritima
Nl: Klein slijkgras
Fr: Spartine raide, Spartine maritime
De: Kleines Schlickgras, Niederes Schlickgras
It: Sparto delle barene
La: Spartina
Pt: Morraça
Gd: Spairtíneach mhara
Sv: Litet marskgräs
Cy: Cordwellt bach

Synonyms

• Paspalum strictum ((Aiton) Brot.)
• Dactylis maritima (Curtis)
• Spartina maritima ((Curtis) Fernald)
• Dactylis stricta (Aiton)
• Spartina schreberi (J.F.Gmel.)
• Spartina maritima subsp. stricta ((Aiton) St.-Yves)
• Spartina pungens (P.Beauv.)
• Spartina intermedia (Bosc ex St.-Yves)
• Spartina stricta ((Aiton) Roth)
• Limnetis pungens (Rich.)
• Cynodon pungens (Raspail)
• Trachynotia stricta ((Aiton) DC.)
• Spartina capensis (Nees)
• Poa ternitana (Spreng. ex Link)
• Spartina stricta var. triplex (Gray)
• Rottboellia stricta ((Aiton) Steud.)

Distribution

• Belgium (native)
• Cape Provinces (native)
• France (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Italy (native)
• Mauritania (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Namibia (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Spain (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Mississippi (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Sep 12, 2019 by laurent hoffmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 16, 2020 by Patrick Nard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 2, 2002 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 3, 2019 by Meint Post (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 2, 2002 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Aug 1, 2021 by jean-jacques kelner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 29, 2020 by pierre Hémon (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 5, 2019 by Jean-Michel Faton (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 27, 2021 by Flore Marteaux (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 6, 2022 by Pascal POCARD (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Aug 4, 2020 by nowak Maximilien (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 15, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Gael Lechapt (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 22, 2006 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 12, 2019 by laurent hoffmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 2, 2002 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jun 30, 1850 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken May 5, 2003 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jul 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Sep 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Sep 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 5, 2003 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77144701-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Spartina maritima (Curtis) Fernald)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5290044)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/9396295)

Specifications

Growth