Prairie Cord Grass
Spartina pectinata

Family: Poaceae or Gramineae

What it is like

Spartina pectinata is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.8 m (6ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from May to July. 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): 1.8

Where it is found

Shores and gravels and in marshes and sloughs. Usually found in freshwater marshes, though extending into saline marshes near the coast.

N. America - Newfoundland and Quebec to Washington and Oregon, south to North Carolina and Texas.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

The culms are much used for thatching.

Thatching: Used for making thatched roofs.

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. Plants have an invasive root system.

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: 4-8

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist, wet

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Spartina michauxiana. Spartina pectinata var. suttiei