CORDGRASS

also called marsh grass, or salt grass any of 16 species of grasses constituting the genus Spartina (family Poaceae). The erect, tough, long-leaved plants range from 0.3 to 3 metres (1 to 10 feet) in height and are found on marshes and tidal mud flats of North America, Europe, and Africa. Most species grow in clumps, with short flower spikes alternating along and often adherent to the upper portion of the stems, and with spreading underground stems (rhizomes) that send up new plants and are good soil binders. Prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata) and gulf cordgrass (S. spartinae) are the most widely distributed North American species.