Cord Grass, Common cordgrass
Spartina anglica
Family: Poaceae or Gramineae
What it is like
Spartina anglica is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.3 m (4ft 3in). The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.
Height (m): 1.3
Where it is found
Tidal mud flats.
Endemic to Britain.
Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed.
Countries/locations it is found in
England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, China, Australia (South Australia, Tasmania), Denmark, France, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, Canada, USA.
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating: 3
The plants have an extensive root system and can be used for soil stabilization along rivers and marshes.
Soil stabilization: Plants that can be grown in places such as sand dunes in order to prevent erosion by wind, water or other agents.
How it is grown
Succeeds in fresh or salt water marshes and in ordinary garden soil. Prefers a deep rich moist soil in sun or light shade. Although said to be native to Britain, this species is not in the British Flora, though it is in Flora Europaea.
Propagating it: Seed - sow in a greenhouse in spring and only just cover the seed. Germination should take place within 2 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Plant out in the summer if sufficient growth has been made, otherwise overwinter them in a cold frame and plant them out in the following spring. Division in spring.
Best place to grow: Bog Garden;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 0-0
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist, wet
Things to keep in mind
It is highly unlikely that further intentional introductions will be undertaken due Spartina anglica weed/invasive potential. See weed information below.
Introduced in some areas for coastal erosion control Spartina anglica (Common Cord-grass) has become an invasive species throughout the British Isles, Asia (China), Australia (South Australia, Tasmania), Europe (Denmark, France, Germany, Netherlands) New Zealand and North America (Canada, USA), causing extensive damage to natural saltmarsh ecosystems in all areas. Invasiveness: Abundant in its native range, Fast growing, Highly mobile locally, Invasive in its native range, Long lived, Pioneering in disturbed areas, Proved invasive outside its native range, Reproduces asexually, Tolerates, or benefits from, cultivation, browsing pressure, mutilation, fire etc. It is highly unlikely that further intentional introductions will be undertaken; due to the knowledge of the invasiveness of S. anglica and that it is now a notified weed in many countries.
Its other names
Local names
Common cordgrass. English: English cordgrass. Australia: rice grass. Finland: englanninmarskiheinä. Germany: Englisches Schlickgras. Netherlands: engels slijkgras.