however, it will be shaded out by mangroves as they form a canopy. 



(3) Saltmeadow Cordgrass . This grass occurs extensively in 

 the irregularly flooded high marsh zone. Other characteristics are 

 discussed in the Atlantic coast. Section IV, 1, a (2). 



(4) Black Needle Rush . The characteristics of black needle 

 rush have been discussed in the Atlantic coast, Section IV, 1, a (3). 



(5) Saltgrass . This species is widely distributed in the more 

 saline high marshes. Its characteristics have been discussed in the 

 Atlantic coast. Section IV, 1, a (5). 



(6) Big Cordgrass . This grass is taller, with larger leaves, 

 stems, and rhizomes than smooth cordgrass. It grows in mildly brack- 

 ish areas, upward from about MHW. Other characteristics of big cord- 

 grass have been discussed in the Atlantic coast. Section IV, 1, a (6). 



(7) Other Plants . There are a number of other species that 

 occur in the salt marshes of peninsular Florida (Carlton, 1975, 1977). 

 Sea lavender frequently occurs in the upper part of the low marsh. 

 Pickleweed is common in low marsh areas of high salt concentration. 

 Common secondary high marsh plants are sea oxeye (Figs. 16 and 17), 

 marsh elder (Fig. 17), goldenrod, sea myrtle, torpedo grass {Pani-oton 

 repens) , St. Augustine grass, sea blight {Suaeda, spp.) , and dropseed 

 (Sporobolus spp.). Most of these can be planted, but they will usually 

 invade planted areas when and where conditions favor their growth. 



The introduced Australian pine (Casuarina equisetifoUa) often in- 

 duces erosion along steep shorelines by shading out the native marsh 

 plants. 



Saw grass forms large areas of low salinity marshes; cattails are 

 major freshwater marsh plants. These are not, at present, planted for 

 marsh building in Florida. 



c. Gulf Coast . This is a long, highly variable coast, character- 

 ized by a low tidal range, particularly along the northwestern part. 

 The low tidal range limits intertidal marshes to a narrow elevation 

 zone and restricts saltwater penetration into many bays and estuaries. 

 Thus, salt marshes are usually small or absent along the coasts of 

 northwest Florida and Alabama; however, there are substantial areas 

 of low and high marsh from Tampa, Florida, north to St. Joseph Bay, 

 Florida. The coast is very gently sloping with many marshes facing 

 directly into the open gulf waters (Carlton, 1977). Extensive salt 

 marshes occur on the flat topography of the lower Mississippi River 

 delta and in eastern Texas. They are backed by large areas of brack- 

 ish and freshwater marshes. Plantable marsh species are essentially 

 the same throughout the region, although rainfall and temperature vary 

 considerably. 



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