Spartina ×townsendii
Common names
spartina
Biostatus
Exotic
Category
Vascular
Structural class
Grasses
Detailed description
Stiff perennial grass 10–50 cm tall, with fleshy rhizomes forming dense clumps or swards. Leaf-blade 5–35 cm × 4–10 mm, flat or inrolled, hairless and narrowed to fine hard tip. Culm erect, 3–8 mm diameter near base including closely ensheathing leaves. Inflorescence 8–30 cm, erect, seed always aborted.
Similar taxa
Can be separated from S. alterniflora by the smaller culm (3–8 mm) and from S. anglica by its generally smaller size, (10–50 cm) and aborted pollen and seed (S. anglica is 50–100 cm tall and has viable seed).
Habitat
Aquatic: Emergent. Saline.
Conservation status
Not applicable
Detailed taxonomy
Family
Poaceae
Ecology
Year naturalised
1924
Origin
England
Reason for introduction
Agricultural
Tolerances
Can tolerate extreme saline conditions.
Control techniques
Perennial
Life cycle and dispersal
Perennial. Does not set seed, reproduces entirely by rhizomes. S. ×townsendii is sterile and does not set seed. Dispersed by livestock, propellers, nets etc dislodge rhizome fragments, tidal and current movement, intentional planting. Can survive long-tem at sea, moves long distances.
Wetland plant indicator status rating
Information derived from the revised national wetland plant list prepared to assist councils in delineating and monitoring wetlands (Clarkson et al., 2021 Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research Contract Report LC3975 for Hawke’s Bay Regional Council). The national plant list categorises plants by the extent to which they are found in wetlands and not ‘drylands’. The indicator status ratings are OBL (obligate wetland), FACW (facultative wetland), FAC (facultative), FACU (facultative upland), and UPL (obligate upland). If you have suggestions for the Wetland Indicator Status Rating, please contact: [Enable JavaScript to view protected content]
OBL: Obligate Wetland
Almost always is a hydrophyte, rarely in uplands (non-wetlands).