By Megan Roy
What has rhizomes, stems, distichous growth and colonizes the low marsh? Pacific Cordgrass (Spartina foliosa) of course! Spartina means cord in Latin and foliosa means leafy at the top. Distichous is a botany term meaning "two-ranked leaf arrangement." Lastly, the flowering part of the plant is called inflorescence, which is defined as a cluster of flowers on a stem.
Not only does this native plant dominate the entire low marsh zone of salt marshes, but it is also necessary for endangered light-footed clapper rail nesting. According to restoration ecologist, Joy Zedler, Pacific Cordgrass must grow to be over 90cm or 3 feet to support the light-footed clapper rail.
Currently, Cordgrass is a propagation priority so that it may be installed during planting season at the Colorado Lagoon.
What has rhizomes, stems, distichous growth and colonizes the low marsh? Pacific Cordgrass (Spartina foliosa) of course! Spartina means cord in Latin and foliosa means leafy at the top. Distichous is a botany term meaning "two-ranked leaf arrangement." Lastly, the flowering part of the plant is called inflorescence, which is defined as a cluster of flowers on a stem.
Not only does this native plant dominate the entire low marsh zone of salt marshes, but it is also necessary for endangered light-footed clapper rail nesting. According to restoration ecologist, Joy Zedler, Pacific Cordgrass must grow to be over 90cm or 3 feet to support the light-footed clapper rail.
Currently, Cordgrass is a propagation priority so that it may be installed during planting season at the Colorado Lagoon.
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