Salt grass (Distichlis spicata, Bull. Calif. Acad. Sci. 2: 415 (1887))

Family: Poaceae

Author: (L.) Greene

Bibliography: Bull. Calif. Acad. Sci. 2: 415 (1887)

Year: 1887

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Distichlis

Vegetable: False

Observations: Temp. & Subtrop. America

Description

Salt grass, scientifically known as Distichlis spicata, is a resilient perennial grass species that belongs to the Poaceae family. Noteworthy for its ability to thrive in saline environments, salt grass is predominantly found in temperate and subtropical regions across the Americas. This hardy grass flourishes in areas where few other plants can survive, including coastal marshes, salt flats, and saline desert soils.

The extensive rhizome system of Distichlis spicata enables it to stabilize soils and prevent erosion, making it a vital component of its ecosystem. These rhizomes store nutrients and water, allowing the grass to endure challenging conditions such as high salinity and fluctuating water levels.

Salt grass is characterized by its fine, wiry stems and narrow, pointed leaves. It typically forms dense mats or tussocks that can withstand not only salinity but also periodic flooding and drought. The leaves of the salt grass can be quite rigid, which helps reduce water loss through transpiration—a crucial adaptation for survival in arid and saline conditions.

Salt grass is ecologically significant for both wildlife and plant communities. It provides habitat and nourishment for various bird species and small mammals. The extensive root network supports numerous microhabitats for invertebrates and fosters soil health by promoting aeration and nutrient exchange.

Scientific documentation of Distichlis spicata has long been established, dating back to the late 19th century, as evidenced by its formal description in a Bulletin of California’s Academy of Sciences in 1887 by (L.) Greene.

In summary, salt grass is a robust, adaptable grass species with significant ecological roles in maintaining soil structure, providing wildlife habitat, and offering a striking example of plant adaptation to saline environments.

Common Names

Eng: saltgrass, salt grass, alkali saltgrass, alkaline grass, coastal saltgrass, inland saltgrass, seashore saltgrass
Fra: distichlis dressé
En: Salt grass, Saltgrass, Common saltgrass, Desert saltgrass, Inland saltgrass, Coastal Salt Grass, SEASHORE SALTGRASS, Coastal saltgrass, Alkali saltgrass, Alkaline grass, Alkaligrass, Spikegrass
Fr: Distichlis dressé
Es: Grama salada, Chijo

Synonyms

• Poa repens (Willd. ex Steud.)
• Briza spicata ((L.) Lam.)
• Uniola distichophylla ((Michx.) Roem. & Schult.)
• Festuca distichophylla (Michx.)
• Uniola flexuosa (Buckley)
• Festuca triticea (Kunth)
• Brizopyrum americanum (Link)
• Distichlis stricta var. laxa ((Beal) Fawc. & West ex Munz)
• Distichlis hirta (Phil.)
• Uniola thalassica ((Kunth) Trin.)
• Distichlis spicata var. marginata ((Phil.) Kuntze)
• Megastachya thalassica ((Kunth) Roem. & Schult.)
• Poa prostrata (Kunth)
• Distichlis spicata var. borealis ((J.Presl) Beetle)
• Brizopyrum spicatum var. strictum ((Torr.) S.Watson)
• Distichlis thalassica var. pectinata (Griseb.)
• Brizopyrum prostratum ((Kunth) Benth. ex E.Fourn.)
• Agropyron peruvianum ((Lam.) Roem. & Schult.)
• Brizopyrum ovatum (Nees ex Steud.)
• Uniola pungens (Rupr. ex M.Martens & Galeotti)
• Uniola stricta (Torr.)
• Distichlis mendocina (Phil.)
• Distichlis stricta var. dentata ((Rydb.) C.L.Hitchc.)
• Distichlis spicata var. stricta ((Torr.) Scribn.)
• Megastachya prostrata ((Kunth) Roem. & Schult.)
• Distichlis spicata var. thalassica ((Kunth) Kuntze)
• Distichlis maritima var. laxa (Holm)
• Distichlis spicata var. mendocina ((Phil.) Hack.)
• Distichlis spicata var. nana (Beetle)
• Distichlis dentata (Rydb.)
• Distichlis deserticola (Phil.)
• Brizopyrum prostratum var. humile (E.Fourn.)
• Uniola multiflora (Nutt.)
• Distichlis thalassica (É.Desv.)
• Brizopyrum boreale (J.Presl)
• Distichlis spicata f. hirta ((Phil.) Kuntze)
• Brizopyrum thalassicum ((Kunth) Nees)
• Distichlis spicata var. laxa (Beal)
• Distichlis spicata var. distichophylla ((Michx.) Beetle)
• Distichlis spicata var. andina (Beetle)
• Distichlis spicata var. divaricata (Beetle)
• Distichlis viridis (Phil.)
• Distichlis thalassica var. mendocina ((Phil.) Kurtz)
• Triticum peruvianum (Lam.)
• Distichlis nodosa (Raf.)
• Poa borealis ((J.Presl) Kunth)
• Uniola prostrata ((Kunth) Trin.)
• Distichlis prostrata ((Kunth) É.Desv.)
• Brachypodium peruvianum ((Lam.) Roem. & Schult. ex Kunth)
• Distichlis maritima (Raf.)
• Distichlis araucana (Phil.)
• Distichlis maritima var. stricta ((Torr.) Thurb.)
• Distichlis tenuifolia (Phil.)
• Brizopyrum spicatum ((L.) Hook. & Arn.)
• Poa michauxii (Kunth)
• Distichlis stricta ((Torr.) Rydb.)
• Distichlis marginata (Phil.)
• Eragrostis thalassica (Steud.)
• Distichlis spicata var. mexicana (Beetle)
• Poa thalassica (Kunth)
• Distichlis spicata var. stolonifera (Beetle)
• Distichlis marginata var. stricta ((Torr.) Thurb.)
• Distichlis spicata subsp. stricta ((Torr.) Thorne)
• Distichlis hirsuta (Phil.)
• Brizopyrum prostratum var. erectum (E.Fourn.)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Alberta (native)
• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Argentina South (native)
• Arizona (native)
• Bahamas (native)
• Belize (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• California (native)
• Cayman Is. (native)
• Chile Central (native)
• Chile North (native)
• Chile South (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Delaware (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• Florida (native)
• Galápagos (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Kansas (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Missouri (native)
• Montana (native)
• Nebraska (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• New York (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• North Dakota (native)
• Northwest Territorie (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Peru (native)
• Prince Edward I. (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• South Dakota (native)
• Texas (native)
• Turks-Caicos Is. (native)
• Uruguay (native)
• Utah (native)
• Virginia (native)
• Washington (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Society Is. (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Jan 6, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 14, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 12, 2022 by A García (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 2, 2019 by Eric Rebsamen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 10, 2011 by EOL − Chris Cook (cc-by-nc)

Habit

Taken Mar 29, 2014 by EOL − jachapman (cc-by-nc)

Taken Dec 10, 2014 by EOL − lonnyholmes (cc-by-nc)

Taken Mar 18, 2013 by EOL − Liam O’Brien (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 14, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 26, 2021 by Marzanna Bug (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jan 14, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 30, 2022 by gideon van melle (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 18, 2020 by Matthias Foellmer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − This image is not copyrighted and may be freely used for any purpose. Please credit the artist, original publication if applicable, and the USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database. The following format is suggested and will be appreciated: Sheri Hagwood @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database If you cite PLA (public)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Gerrit Davidse (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Gerrit Davidse (cc-by-nc-sa)

Bark

Taken Aug 18, 2020 by Matthias Foellmer (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/2704509)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:82343-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Distichlis spicata (L.) Greene)

Specifications

Growth form: Rhizomatous

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth rate: Slow

Growth

Ph maximum: 10.0

Ph minimum: 6.4