Spartina bakeri Merr., sand cordgrass 
DESCRIPTION 
Warm-season, robust bunch grass. 
Height: 3 to 5 feet. 
Leaf blade: Flat; rolls inward when drying; 1/4 inch wide; 
upper surface dark green, lower light green ; coarse ridges 
on upper surface. 
Leaf sheath: Rounded. 
Seedhead: 5 to 12 spikes, each 1-1/4 to 2-1/2 inches long, 
lying close to stem; spikelets grow on one side of rachis; 
seedhead 2 to 8 inches long. 
GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS 
Makes its major growth during spring. Seed form during late 
May and June in most of range, later in northern part. Vegeta- 
tive growth continues until fall. Some basal leaves remain green 
during winter in south Florida. Mature plants often form 
bunches 18 to 20 inches in diameter. 
DISTRIBUTION 
Coastal Plain of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, 
throughout Florida, and in scattered stands in extreme southern 
Alabama and Mississippi. 
SITE ADAPTATION 
Adapted to margins of sand ponds and fresh marshes through- 
out range. During growing season, tolerates periodic flooding. 
Will not grow on saline soils. 
USE AND MANAGEMENT 
Sand cordgrass burned in early fall provides fair-quality graz- 
ing for cattle during winter and spring. It is tough and unpalata- 
ble during summer months. 
This grass increases on ranges that are grazed continuously. 
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