About Sporobolus maritimus (Curtis) P.M.Peterson & Saarela
Sporobolus maritimus (Curtis) P.M.Peterson & Saarela is a coarse, robust herbaceous perennial plant that grows in dense groups from a creeping rootstock. It reaches 20 to 70 cm (8 to 28 inches) in height; it is green during spring and summer, and turns light brown in autumn and winter. Its leaves are slender, 10 to 40 cm (4 to 16 inches) long, and 0.5 to 1 cm (0.2 to 0.4 inches) wide at the base, tapering to a blunt point. Its inflorescence consists of 2 or 3 unbranched spikes that grow up to 15 cm (6 inches) long. Each spike holds several unstalked, one-flowered downy spikelets that are roughly 1.25 cm (0.5 inches) long. These spikelets form on all sides of the stalk and are pressed closely against it. The pointed tip of the stem does not grow taller than the highest spikelet. The flowers are greenish, and turn yellowish-brown by winter. This species is native to the west-facing coasts of Europe and North Africa. It grows in a range of habitats including very soft mud and shingle, in areas with minimal exposure that are away from strong wave action. It occurs on the seaward margins of saltmarshes and creeks, and can grow in large numbers in dried-up pools in the upper sections of saltmarshes. Within the British Isles, it is found in estuaries in Essex and in the Solent.
