Common saltmarsh grass (Puccinellia maritima, Fl. Ital. 1: 370 (1850))

Family: Poaceae

Author: (Huds.) Parl.

Bibliography: Fl. Ital. 1: 370 (1850)

Year: 1850

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Puccinellia

Vegetable: False

Observations: Canary Is., Europe

Description

Common saltmarsh grass is a resilient and fascinating plant that thrives in coastal environments, where few other species can endure. Scientifically known as Puccinellia maritima, it was first described in Flora Italiana in the mid-19th century, reflecting its significance within botanical studies since then.

Belonging to the family Poaceae, Common saltmarsh grass is an essential component of saltmarsh ecosystems across Europe and the Canary Islands. Its unique ability to tolerate high salinity levels allows it to colonize areas regularly inundated by seawater. These habitats are often harsh, with fluctuating water levels and varying salt concentrations, making Puccinellia maritima a crucial player in stabilizing saltmarsh soil and providing a hospitable environment for other flora and fauna.

The aesthetic appeal of Common saltmarsh grass is subtle but evident in its fine structure and rich green hue, which contribute to the picturesque landscapes of the coastal regions. Beyond its visual contribution, it plays a vital role in ecosystem services. It helps in sediment trapping and reducing coastal erosion, thus protecting shorelines from the encroaching sea. Moreover, it provides crucial nesting material and habitat for various bird species and other wildlife, supporting biodiversity within these dynamic coastal zones.

Further scientific exploration of Puccinellia maritima continues to shed light on its adaptive mechanisms and ecological importance, making it a plant of considerable interest within the field of environmental science and botany. Its presence is not just a hallmark of coastal beauty but a testament to nature’s adaptability and resilience.

Common Names

Deu: strand-salzschwaden, andel, strand-salzschwaden
Dan: strand-annelgræs
Fra: atropis maritime, puccinellie maritime, glycérie maritime
Eng: common saltmarsh grass, common saltmarsh-grass, seaside alkaligrass, common salt-marsh-grass, sea meadow-grass
Nor: fiære-rap, frytle-rap, sjø-rap
Nld: gewoon kweldergras
Pol: mannica nadmorska
Swe: revigt saltgräs, strandgröe
Sme: gáddesáltton
Cym: gwellt y morfa, gweunwellt arfor
Nob: fjæresaltgras
Nno: fjøresaltgras
Gla: féar muirisce
En: Common saltmarsh grass, Seaside alkaligrass, Common Saltmarsh-grass, Common Salt-marsh-grass, Sea Meadow-Grass
Da: Strand-annelgræs
Nl: Gewoon kweldergras
Fr: Atropis maritime, Puccinellie maritime, Glycérie maritime
De: Strand-Salzschwaden, Andel, Strand-Salzschwaden, Andelgras
Se: Gáddesáltton
No: Fiære-rap, Frytle-rap, Sjø-rap
Nb: Fjæresaltgras
Nn: Fjøresaltgras
Pl: Mannica nadmorska
Gd: Féar muirisce
Sv: Revigt saltgräs, Strandgröe
Cy: Gwellt y Morfa, Gweunwellt Arfor

Synonyms

• Poa maritima (Huds.)
• Poa arenaria (Retz.)
• Sclerochloa maritima ((Huds.) Lindl.)
• Poa gracilis (Trin.)
• Glyceria maritima var. nana (Lange)
• Sclerochloa maritima var. deflexa (Syme)
• Phippsia maritima ((Huds.) Á.Löve)
• Atropis distans var. maritima ((Huds.) Coss. & Durieu)
• Puccinellia maritima var. major (Holmb.)
• Glyceria salina var. maritima ((Huds.) Zabel)
• Catabrosa maritima ((Huds.) Link)
• Panicularia maritima ((Huds.) Scribn.)
• Puccinellia thalassica ((Kunth) Podp.)
• Atropis beltranii (Sennen)
• Puccinellia baltica ((Lindeb.) Holmb.)
• Glyceria maritima ((Huds.) Wahlenb.)
• Glyceria maritima var. amethystina (G.Mey.)
• Festuca thalassica var. anomala (Lange)
• Glyceria maritima var. arenaria (Fr.)
• Puccinellia maritima var. reptans ((Hartm.) Holmb.)
• Glyceria distans var. maritima ((Huds.) Vicq & De Brutelette)
• Glyceria baltica f. setacea (Lindeb.)
• Atropis maritima ((Huds.) Griseb.)
• Puccinellia baltica f. setacea ((Lindeb.) Holmb.)
• Glyceria baltica (Lindeb.)
• Puccinellia maritima f. glaberrima (Holmb.)
• Puccinellia dusenii ((Lindeb.) Holmb.)
• Festuca distans var. maritima ((Huds.) Mutel)
• Puccinellia maritima var. nana ((Lange) J.T.Jansen & Wacht.)
• Poa maritima var. hispida (Parn.)
• Glyceria maritima subvar. subcaespitosa (Druce)
• Glyceria maritima var. hispida (Hook.f.)
• Puccinellia pseudomaritima ((Schur) Ponert)
• Glyceria dusenii (Lindeb.)
• Puccinellia maritima var. subfistulosa (Holmb.)
• Diachroa maritima (Nutt. ex Steud.)
• Atropis intermedia var. pseudomaritima (Schur)
• Atropis pseudomaritima ((Schur) Schur)
• Atropis transsilvanica (Schur)
• Glyceria maritima var. deflexa ((Syme) Druce)
• Atropis intermedia var. arenaria (Schur)
• Puccinellia transsilvanica var. arenaria ((Schur) Morariu)
• Glyceria maritima var. riparia (Hook.f.)
• Puccinellia maritima var. arenaria ((Fr. ex Neuman) Holmb.)
• Puccinellia transsilvanica var. pseudomaritima ((Schur) Morariu)
• Glyceria baumgarteniana (Schur)
• Glyceria baltica f. vegetior (Lindeb.)
• Puccinellia baltica f. vegetior ((Lindeb.) Holmb.)
• Molinia maritima ((Huds.) Hartm.)
• Festuca thalassica (Kunth)
• Sclerochloa arenaria var. maritima ((Huds.) A.Gray)
• Sclerochloa arenaria (Nees)
• Hydrochloa maritima (Hartm.)
• Puccinellia americana (T.J.Sørensen)
• Molinia distans var. reptans (Hartm.)
• Glyceria maritima f. arenaria (Fr. ex Neuman)

Distribution

• Baltic States (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Denmark (native)
• France (native)
• Føroyar (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• California (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• Greenland (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• New Brunswick (introduced)
• New Hampshire (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• Nova Scotia (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Prince Edward I. (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Rhode I. (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken May 13, 2019 by santos catarina (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken May 22, 2009 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 22, 2009 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken May 12, 2003 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken May 12, 2003 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 12, 2003 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 16, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

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

Taken May 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jun 19, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 1869 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)

Flower

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jun 22, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Genevieve BOTTI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 12, 2003 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 12, 2003 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 22, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Genevieve BOTTI (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)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2704687)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:419097-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Puccinellia maritima (Huds.) Parl.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.0

Ph minimum: 7.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 8

Bloom months: [‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’]

Soil nutriments: 7

Soil salinity: 9