Spartina densiflora
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
