Sporobolus uirginicus (L.) Kunth, seashore dropseed 
DESCRIPTION 
Warm-season, rhizomatous perennial. 
Height: 4 to 8 inches. 
Leaf blade: 1 to 4 inches long; distinctly two-ranked; salt 
crystals common on leaves and stems. 
Leaf sheath: Overlapping ; hairy at throat. 
Seedhead: Panicle dense, spikelike. 
GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS 
Makes some growth all year. Produces seed several times dur- 
ing year. Dense colonies and pure stands are common. Seashore 
dropseed is similar to seashore saltgrass ( Distichlis spicata) and 
they grow on the same site. Their seedheads distinguish them. 
DISTRIBUTION 
Salt marshes and sandy soils of gulf coast and along Atlantic 
coast to North Carolina. 
SITE ADAPTATION 
Grows on highly saline marsh soils from clays to sands. Does 
best if water level fluctuates from 2 inches above soil surface to 6 
inches below. 
USE AND MANAGEMENT 
Seashore dropseed is an important forage grass high in protein 
and mineral content. Regrowth following a controlled burn in fall 
provides excellent winter food for wild geese. 
Controlled burning of this grass results in lush, tender for- 
age for winter grazing. Burning should be done no oftener than 
every 2 years between September and February and when water 
is above soil surface. Allow 4 inches of regrowth after burning 
before grazing. Summer deferments of at least 120 days are im- 
portant to maintain vigor. For maximum production, no more 
than 50 percent of current growth by weight should be removed 
at any season. Prolonged inundation kills this grass. Cattle walk- 
ways are built to make more of the marsh range accessible to cat- 
tle. 
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