Species PlantsSmooth Cordgrass

Smooth Cordgrass

Spartina alterniflora

CommonPlant
Illustration of Smooth Cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora)

Smooth Cordgrass is the dominant grass of Atlantic and Gulf Coast salt marshes, forming the foundation of one of the most productive ecosystems in North America. It tolerates salt water and tidal inundation, stabilizing marsh sediments and providing critical habitat for clapper rails, seaside sparrows, and many juvenile fish and shellfish.

Habitat
Salt marshes and intertidal zones of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts
Diet
Provides structural habitat for clapper rails and seaside sparrows; nursery for fish
How common
Common

Best time to see a Smooth Cordgrass

The best time to see a Smooth Cordgrass is June–October, when about 61% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 2,347 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Not certain it is a Smooth Cordgrass? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

Recent Smooth Cordgrass sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spot a Smooth Cordgrass? Identify it instantly.

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal for an instant ID, its rarity, and a live map of where it is being seen near you.

Get Huck

Get an alert when a Smooth Cordgrass is spotted

Pick a park, state, or city and we’ll email you when one turns up there. One check a day, only when there’s something new.

Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.

Love plants? Get Huck field notes

Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to receive Huck emails. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

More plants

Smooth Rose
Smooth Rose
Rosa blanda
Smooth Solomon's Seal
Smooth Solomon's Seal
Polygonatum biflorum
Smooth Sumac
Smooth Sumac
Rhus glabra
Smooth Winterberry
Smooth Winterberry
Ilex laevigata
Smooth Witherod
Smooth Witherod
Viburnum nudum
Snake Plant
Snake Plant
Dracaena trifasciata
Snow-on-the-mountain
Snow-on-the-mountain
Euphorbia marginata
Snowbrush
Snowbrush
Ceanothus velutinus