Nootka alkaligrass facts for kids

The Nootka alkaligrass or Alaska alkali grass (scientific name: Puccinellia nutkaensis) is a type of grass. You can find it growing naturally in North America. Its home range stretches from Alaska across northern Canada to Greenland and Nova Scotia. It also grows south into Washington, Oregon, and along the Central Coast of California.

What is Nootka Alkaligrass?

Nootka alkaligrass is a perennial grass. This means it lives for more than two years. It's also a bunchgrass, which means it grows in clumps or bunches. This grass can look very different depending on where it grows. Sometimes it's small and clumpy. Other times, it can stand tall, reaching up to 90 centimeters (about 3 feet) high. It has strong flower clusters, also called inflorescences.

Sometimes, if the lower parts of its stems get buried in wet soil, the grass can grow new roots from those spots. This helps it form thick patches of grass.

Where Does it Live?

This grass loves to live near the coast. You'll often find it in wet places with rocky, sandy soils that have a lot of salt. Because it can grow in salty soil, it's called a halophyte. This means "salt-loving plant."

Nootka alkaligrass is very useful for restoring salt marshes and other coastal areas in Alaska. It's great at handling cold saltwater. It can survive even when it's completely covered by water during high tides and big storm surges.

Animal Friends

Did you know that some insects like to hang out on this grass? A type of leafhopper called Macrosteles fascifrons is often found living on Nootka alkaligrass in Alaska. These tiny insects are so tough that they stay on the grass even when it's underwater near icebergs!