Common Cord-grass (Spartina anglica)

Species

Distribution

Common cord-grass (Spartina anglica)

Photo ©J R Crellin 2006

To view NBN location data click here

Impacts

Pathways

• It is a perennial salt marsh grass which has been planted widely to stabilise tidal mud flats.
• Its invasion and spreadcreates monospecific stands in the upper intertidal areas often occupied by Zostera.
• This is can reduce feeding areas for bird species such as Brent geese that depend on this habitat for food.

• Planted for dune stabilisation
• Natural dispersal by seed and expansion through the rhizomes. Seeds can remain dormant for several years.

Management

Prevention

Plants should not be used unnecessarily for land reclamation projects. In some world regions S. anglica is prohibited for sale or distribution.

Physical Control

Smothering with plastic has resulted in success over small areas, and removal by digging out plants at an early stage has also been successful. Attempts to control it by using as a fodder for cattle have failed.

Chemical Control

Chemical herbicides applied to large areas have been more successful with two time-separated applications.

Biological Control

Biological control using a planthopper Prokelisia marginata is being implemented on the Pacific coast of North America for the parental species S. alternifolia.

Links

Non Native Species Secretariat Fact Sheet

Daisie Species Fact Sheets

Global Invasive Species Database