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Distichlis spp.

saltgrass

Poaceae Americas and Australia

Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant

Native to North America

SunFull Sun

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 4–10

Overview

Distichlis spp. is a genus of about five species of low, rhizomatous and stoloniferous perennial grasses in the family Poaceae, native chiefly to the Americas with a species in Australia. Plants spread by tough creeping rhizomes into wiry turf 4-16 inches (10-40 cm) tall, with stiff, two-ranked, grey-green leaves held along the stems. The grasses are dioecious, with male and female flower spikelets on separate plants in dense, pale, flattened clusters in summer. D. spicata, saltgrass, is widespread across coastal salt marsh, inland alkali flats, and roadside saline soils of North America. The genus tolerates extreme soil salinity, excreting salt through leaf glands and rooting in ground too salty for most plants. Spread is vigorous, and the dense rhizome mats can crowd out other low vegetation. D. palmeri produces an edible grain used historically in northwestern Mexico.

Native Range

Distichlis spp. is native mainly to the Americas, from Canada through the United States and Mexico to South America, with one species in Australia. Plants grow in coastal salt marsh, estuaries, inland alkali flats, and other saline or alkaline ground.

Suggested Uses

Used for salt marsh and coastal restoration, erosion control on saline banks, and stabilising alkali and roadside soils where other grasses fail. D. palmeri has been grown as a salt-tolerant grain crop.

How to Identify

Recognised by low, wiry, spreading turf of stiff grey-green leaves arranged in two ranks along creeping rhizomatous stems, on plants of salty or alkaline ground. Male and female plants carry separate dense, pale, flattened spikelet clusters in summer. The strongly two-ranked leaves and saline habitat help separate it from other low spreading grasses.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height4" - 1'4"

Width/Spread1' - 3'

Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years

Colors

Flower Colors

green

Foliage Colors

green

grey green

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Summer

Flowering occurs in summer, when dense, pale, flattened spikelet clusters appear, with male and female flowers on separate plants. Seed ripens on female plants later in the season. As a wind-pollinated grass the flowers are inconspicuous.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

pale green to straw

Foliage Description

grey-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 9.0(Alkaline)

357912

Soil Types

sand clay silt

Drainageaverage

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1-2 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Distichlis spp. grows in full sun in saline, alkaline, sandy, or clay soils, including ground regularly flooded by salt or brackish water. Plants tolerate salt, drought, periodic flooding, and poor fertility once established, spreading fast by rhizomes and stolons. Fresh water and rich soils are not required, and the grass persists where most turf fails. The vigorous spread makes it hard to contain in small spaces, so it suits large, open, or problem sites. The genus is cold-hardy across a wide range, with D. spicata surviving through about USDA zones 4 to 10. Little care is needed once established.

Pruning

No formal pruning is needed. Stands can be mowed or cut back to refresh growth and limit thatch, and rhizomes dug out at the edges to check spread. Burning or grazing also renews growth in larger plantings.