Freshwater Wetlands/ Prairie Cordgrass

COMMON NAME: Prairie Cordgrass

OTHER COMMON NAME(S): Fresh-water Cordgrass, Slough Cordgrass, Ripgut

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Spartina pectinata

FAMILY: Poaceae

COMMUNITY: Freshwater Wetlands

STATUS: Native

LIFESPAN: Perennial

HEIGHT: up to 10 feet

FLOWERING TIME: Mid July to October

FRUITING TIME: Late July to October

DISTRIBUTION: Throughout the United States.  Throughout coastal strip and up large rivers in New Jersey.  Found in fresh to brackish water and in tidal marshes

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Inflorescence 8 to 13 inches long ~ Numerous spiklets 3.5 inches long on very short stalks ~ Inflorescence is unsymmetrical ~ Leaves very narrow, taper to point, rough on margins ~ Each stem is topped with a cluster of up to 32 side branches with each side branch 1-6 inches long ~ Rhizomes hard and brown to purple

GENERAL INFORMATION: Spartine is the Greek word for cord and refers to the stout stem of the plants in this genus (Spartina). The leaf blade is very coarse, with pointed teeth along the margins.   When it is rubbed, it can cut the skin.  The common name “ripgut” refers to this characteristic. This plant occurs in both fresh and salt water wetlands.  Native Americans and early pioneers used it for roof thatching and for fuel.  Prairie Cordgrass has poor forage value when mature but can be eaten by livestock in early growth stages. Since it is fast growing and produces dense stands, Prairie Cordgrass can be used to prevent erosion along waterways and marshes.

Please note: While harvesting wild berries/fruit is permitted at Island Beach State Park, visitors must adhere to park regulations at all times and must not damage vegetation or go off designated trails.  This information is presented for educational purposes.