Smooth cordgrass is a perennial tall grass that reproduces both from 
rhizomes and seed. This species has a wide distribution along shorelines 
and in marshes of North America. It has been effectively used for salt 
marsh development and erosion control along the Atlantic coast. 
Big cordgrass is a perennial tall grass that is similar to smooth 
cordgrass in growth habit, but it occurs at a higher elevation. Big 
cordgrass is not as abundant along the upper Texas gulf coast as smooth 
cordgrass. ; 
Gulf cordgrass (Spartina spartinae) is a widespread perennial 
grass along the Texas gulf coast. It normally inhabits areas drier 
than either smooth cordgrass or big cordgrass, It is common in cord- 
grass flats, occurring at elevations above normal high tide. This 
species, like the others, reproduces readily from short rhizomes and 
seed. It forms a dense root and rhizome system in the soil. 
Saltcedar, an introduced woody plant, readily reproduces by trans- 
plant. It now occurs throughout much of central North America where it 
was introduced for erosion control. Along the lower Texas gulf coast it 
readily establishes in beach sand and is effective in dune stabilization. 
2. Survival and Reproduction. 
A total of five experimental plantings were made during 1974 at all 
four study blocks. The January planting was during a month of above 
normal precipitation and relatively low water and soil salinity levels. 
The March planting was during a month of near normal precipitation, but 
rainfall during February had been only 0.83 inches, over 2 inches below 
normal. Thus, on the 1 March planting date elevated water salinity was 
encountered. In April, precipitation was more than 1.5 inches below 
normal, following near normal precipitation in March. However, water 
salinity at the time of planting was at maximum for the spring. May 
precipitation was over 5 inches above normal and water salinity on the 
20 May planting date was low, except in Block IV. In July, water 
salinity at all blocks, exceeded 14,000 ppm probably due to below normal 
precipitation and high summer temperatures. 
a. Giant Reed. This species readily established in the upper 
zone (Table 18). The highest percent survival (58) was with the January 
planting with- minimum survival during the late spring and summer. The 
surviving transplants readily reproduced vegetatively (Table 19) The 
number of new tillers per surviving transplant ranged from a low of over 
one in the April and May plantings to over four in the January planting. 
The transplants produced seed during the fall. 
Transplants of giant reed were not successfully in either the middle 
or lower zones. This species apparently cannot tolerate inundation 
or water salinity. In addition, the large corms planted were frequently 
washed out by wave action. The only survival in these two zones occurred 
43 
