Spartina gracilis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Spartina gracilis |
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Spartina
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S. gracilis
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| Spartina gracilis Trin.
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Spartina gracilis, also known as alkali cordgrass, is a type of grass. This plant is special because it can grow in salty or "alkaline" places. It is found in many parts of North America.
Contents
What is Alkali Cordgrass?
Alkali cordgrass is a perennial grass. This means it lives for more than two years, coming back each growing season. It grows from short underground stems called rhizomes. These rhizomes help the plant spread and form new shoots.
How Does Alkali Cordgrass Look?
This grass usually has single, thin stems. These stems can grow quite tall, reaching up to one meter (about 3 feet) high. Its leaves are flat and have ridges. When the leaves are new, they might roll inwards.
The plant's flowers grow in a special cluster called an inflorescence. This inflorescence looks like a narrow, dense spike. It is made of many small branches pressed closely together. This whole flower part can be up to 25 centimeters (about 10 inches) long. Along these branches, you will find tiny flowers called spikelets.
Where Does Alkali Cordgrass Grow?
Alkali cordgrass is native to western North America. You can find it from northwestern Canada, through the western United States, and into central Mexico. It even grows in eastern California.
Alkali Cordgrass Habitat
This grass loves moist places that are also alkaline. Alkaline means the soil or water has a high salt content. You can often spot it in areas like:
- Evaporating streams
- Shorelines of lakes or ponds
- Alkali flats, which are dry, flat areas with salty soil
- Inland marshes, which are wet, grassy areas
It is well-suited to these tough environments where many other plants cannot survive.
