Spartina densiflora

Spartina_densiflora_Josie_Osborne

ERADICATE

Family: Poaceae (Grass).

Other Common Names: None.

Origin: Coastal South America.

Growth Form/Reproduction: Perennial bunchgrass. Seed.

Legal Status: None.

Impacts:
Agricultural: Not a problem on agricultural lands.
Ecological: Competes with native flora of upper tidal marshes reducing habitat for wildlife. Invasion of mudflats and channel edges of marshes eliminates foraging habitats for waterfowl.
Human: Information not available.

Habitat: Upper intertidal zone, cobble beaches, mid to high salt marsh zone near the mean high water mark, or just below it in open mudflats.

Status and Distribution: Present in Baynes Sound on East Vancouver Island.

Management Strategy: Eradicate while populations are small and easily controlled. Seedlings can be hand-pulled; taking care to remove roots and shoots. Dig out established plants being sure to remove all rhizomes. Scattered plants can be killed by burning with a hand-held propane torch. Repeated mowing will contain growth, limit seed set and eventually kill established populations; mowing must start at initial green up and continue until fall die back and must be continued 3 to 4 years. Small infestations can be killed by mowing followed by covering with woven fabric; fabric must extend at least a meter beyond the edge of the clone and must be left in place 1 to 2 growing seasons. No biocontrol agents are presently available.

Additional Links:

Spartina ID Cards– BC Spartina Working Group

 

Spartina Mapping – Community Mapping Network

Spartina Wallet ID Card – Spartina Working Group

Weed Bulletin – Spartina Working Group

Washington State Department of Ecology