13 



Saltgrass is another plant found in many regions where it 

 is recognized as evidence of shallow depth to water table. In 

 light sandy soils saltgrass grows where the depth to water does 

 not exceed 6 feet and in heavier soils 11 feet. It is sometimes 

 found in pure communities but more often in association with other 

 ground-water vegetation. Investigations in the Owens Valley, 

 Calif., by Lee (16) showed the first scanty appearance of salt- 

 grass to be where the depth to ground water was 8 feet, with more 

 luxuriant growths in areas of shallower depths. Vhite (38) re- 

 ports saltgrass meadows in the Escalante Valley, Utah, where water 

 is within 4 feet of the surface; the growth is thin and in associ- 

 ation with greasewood, rabbitbrush ( Chrysothamnus graveolens ) or 

 pickleweed where the depth ranges between 4 and 10 feet. In the 

 Santa Ana Valley, Calif., it grows where the ground water is from 

 3 to 12 feet below the surface, depending upon soil type aud drain- 

 age conditions. 



The distribution of saltgrass depends not only upon ade- 

 quate soil moisture reasonably near the surface but also upon soil 

 conditions favorable to its growth. It is seldom observed where 

 the soil does not contain a moderate amount of alkali. Where the 

 salts become excessive, however, white spots appear in what are 

 otherwise saltgrass meadows, the grass being killed by salt accumu- 

 lation. 



The plant spreads by means of a thick creeping rootstalk 

 within the upper few inches of soil, from which finer roots extend 

 downward in search of moisture. The stiff, light green leaves 

 rise from each joint of the rootstalk and often spread to form a 

 dense sod. The grass has a distinctly salty taste although it is 

 often used for pasturage of stock or dairy cattle. The growing 

 period in southern California is from February to December, and 

 although the grass dies or becomes dormant during the other months 

 there is some discharge from the water table throughout the year. 

 Saltgrass is not an excessive user of water, as its habit of 

 growth in alkali soils has caused it to protect itself against the 



