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GRASSES OF THE COLUMBIA BASIN OF BRITISH COLUMBIA Heather Stewart, Richard Hebda Major Groups of Grasses Table of Contents Glossary Spartina Cordgrass Species in this small genus typically bear one-flowered spikelets packed tightly together on one side of the inflorescence axis. Spartina is a genus characteristic of coastal saltmarshes, but also occurs in inland alkaline habitats. The name originates from the Greek word spartine, a term refering to the cord woven from Spartina juncea, a European species.   Spartina gracilis Trin. Alkali Cordgrass Plant: Spartina gracilis is a native species that grows to 30-60 cm tall. It is a perennial with stout rhizomes and a spikelike flowerhead that consists of compressed spikelets in two rows on one side of the spike axis. Leaves and Stem: The sheaths are open and there are no auricles. Ligules consist of a fringe of fine hairs that are 1 mm high. The rough leaves are sometimes inrolled or not. When inrolled, they are not over 5 mm wide at the base. Flowerhead and Flowers: The spikelike flowerhead consists of compressed spikelets arranged in two rows along one side of the stem axis. The unequal glumes (one is 1/2 the size of the other) are hairy on the keel and pointed. The blunt lemma is equal in size to the shorter glume. Habitat: Alkali Cordgrass grows in marshes, wet ditches and meadows and dry, often saline sites. In the Columbia Basin it occurs at Kootenay, Windermere, Cranbrook, Armstrong Bay and Saint Mary River. Similar Species: Two species of Spartina occur in British Columbia: S. gracilis and S. patens. Spartina patens inhabits coastal saltmarshes.

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