Seashore dropseed
Sporobolus virginicus
Poaceae


Landscape Uses:

Groundcover in coastal areas. Also wildflower gardens.

Ecological Restoration Notes:

Availability:
Grown by one or two native plant nurseries in South Florida. Available in in Boynton Beach at Sustainscape (561-245-5305).
Description:
Small creeping herbaceous grass.
Height:
About 6-12 inches in height; to 18 inches when in flower. Spreading and forming large patches much broader than tall.
Growth Rate:
Moderate.
Range:
Southeastern United States and Maryland west to Texas and south to the Monroe County Keys; West Indies, Mexico, Central America and South America.
Habitats:
Brackish coastal areas and beach dunes.
Soils:
Wet to moist, moderately well-drained to periodically inundated brackish or saline soils, with or without organic or humusy top layer.
Nutritional Requirements:
Low to moderate; it can grow in nutrient poor soils or soils with some organic content.
Salt Water Tolerance:
Moderate; tolerates brackish water or occasional inundation by salt water.
Salt Wind Tolerance:
Pioneer; grows in unconsolidated substrate in direct salt wind and spray.
Drought Tolerance:
Moderate; generally requires moist soils, but tolerant of short periods of drought once established.
Light Requirements:
Full sun.
Flower Color:
Light brown inflorescence.
Flower Characteristics:
Inconspicuous.
Flowering Season:
All year.
Fruit:
Inconspicuous light brown caryopsis.
Wildlife and Ecology:
Larval host plant for obscure skipper (Panoquina panoquinoides) butterflies.
Horticultural Notes:
Can be grown from seed and division.
Comments:


George D. Gann
In habitat, Delray Beach Municipal Beach, Florida, USA
2 Oct 2015, Enlarge
Susan Trammell
George D. Gann
George D. Gann
Shirley Denton