Spartina pectinata Link., prairie cordgrass 
DESCRIPTION 
Warm-season , coarse, rhizomatous perennial. 
Height: 3 to 6 feet. 
Leaf blade: 8 to 24 inches long; rolled when dry; rough on 
margins. 
Leaf sheath: Prominently veined and rough. 
Seedhead: 6 to 20 spikes, 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 inches long, cling to 
main stem; as many as 40 spikelets, each containing 1 
floret, grow in 2 rows on one side of rachis. 
GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS 
Growth starts in early spring. Rapid growth is from late spring 
through summer. Grows in dense mats from stout, scaly rhizomes. 
May grow in almost pure stands. Produces seedheads in late sum- 
mer. 
DISTRIBUTION 
Throughout Great Plains, north to Canada. 
SITE ADAPTATION 
Best adapted to saline soils along streams and lake edges and 
on subirrigated areas. 
USE AND MANAGEMENT 
Early growth of prairie cordgrass is grazed readily. In some 
areas it is cut for hay. Mature growth becomes harsh and stemmy. 
Where this grass is a key management species, no more than 
50 percent of current year’s growth by weight should be grazed 
off. Heavy grazing in early spring weakens it. Prairie cordgrass 
responds favorably to summer grazing deferments of at least 90 
days every 2 to 3 years. 
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