(6) Three-Square or Chairmakers Rush {Scirpus ameriaanus) . 

 This rush often replaces arrowgrass as a pioneer on sandflats where 



it may occupy substantial areas. It can be transplanted but with more 

 difficulty than such plants as sedge and pickleweed. 



(7) Other Plants . There are many species that grow in these 

 marshes mixed with the more common plants and contribute to production 

 and stability. Some of these are Jaumea {Jawnea oamosd) , sand spurry 

 {Spergutaria spp.). Pacific silverweed {Potentilla paoifica) , seaside 

 plantain {Plantago mavitimd) , and spike rush (Eleoaharis spp.). Bul- 

 rush (Scippus val-idus) co-mingles with sedge where there is a strong 

 freshwater influence. All of these plants will invade areas planted 

 to other marsh plants. 



(8) Smooth Cordgrass . This species is more vigorous than 

 Pacific cordgrass and would be easier to establish along much of the 

 Pacific coast. It is probably more useful for shoreline stabilization 

 than Pacific cordgrass or sedge. Smooth cordgrass was established acci- 

 dentally, in conjunction with the introduction of oyster spat, in 

 Willapa Bay, Washington, in 1889 and 1918. The grass has spread ex- 

 tensively into sandflats and has replaced native species (Jefferson, 

 1975). Smooth cordgrass grows equally well in northern California and 

 would probably grow even better farther south. Consequently, any pro- 

 posal to introduce this species on the west coast should be carefully 

 considered. Such a step is very likely to be irreversible, for all 

 practical purposes. Therefore, it should not be introduced until all 

 aspects and interests have received full consideration. 



e. South Pacific Coast . Most of the salt marshes on this coast 

 are in San Francisco Bay with some northward to Humboldt Bay and smaller 

 areas occurring south to the Mexican border. Most have been substanti- 

 ally altered by man. A variety of plants grow in these marshes with a 

 gradual change in species from north to south. The principal change in 

 species occurs aroimd Point Conception (MacDonald and Barbour, 1974) . 

 However, the important aspect from the standpoint of marsh building is 

 that Pacific cordgrass grows throughout the region. It occurs sporadi- 

 cally between Humboldt Bay and San Francisco and regularly within San 

 Francisco Bay south to Mexico. As in other regions, few plantings of 

 the marsh species that grow here have been undertaken. 



(1) Pacific Cordgrass . This grass is similar in appearance 

 to the smooth cordgrass of the Atlantic and gulf coasts (Fig. 23) but 

 does not grow quite as tall. It is less vigorous and slower to estab- 

 lish and is unable to withstand as much inundation as smooth cordgrass. 

 Pacific cordgrass is the dominant flowering plant at the lower eleva- 

 tions of intertidal marshes (MTL) . It is probably the most useful and 

 effective species for planting. 



Pacific cordgrass is adapted to inimdation and anaerobic soils 

 through its oxygen transport system (Kasapligil, 1976; Wong, 1976). 



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