SALT MARSH GRASSES

Salt Marsh Grasses

Grasses dominate most salt marshes.

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Smooth Cord Grass (Spartina alterniflora)

Salt Hay is a common grass of the high marsh

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Salt Hay (Spartina patens)

Salt Grass is the other common grass of the high marsh

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Salt Grass (Distichilis spicata)

Common Reed or Phragmites is the tallest grass. The reed we see most often is native to the Old World and has become a serious weed.

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Common reed - Phragmites australis

External links to more information:

  • Guide to Plants and Animals in New Hampshire Salt Marshes (NH)
  • Smooth Cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora)


  • Salt Marsh Cord Grass is the dominant grass in most E. U.S. salt marshes.

    Saltmarsh cord grass 2810-19.jpg  Spartina alterniflora

    Smooth Cord Grass (Spartina alterniflora)

    Smooth cord grass roots and ribbed mussels keep the winter waves from eroding the marsh.

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    Smooth Cord Grass

    Phragmites looks nice, but it can be invasive and take over the marsh.

    Phragmites x015-88.jpg  Common Reed - Phragmites australis

    Phragmites

    Salt marsh flowers

    Salt marsh shrubs