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Native Plant Society of Texas

Saltgrass

Distichlis spicata

Other common name(s):

Desert Saltgrass, Marsh Spikegrass, Inland Saltgrass, Seashore Saltgrass, Coastal Salt Grass

Family:

Poaceae (Grass Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Chihuahuan Deserts, Edwards Plateau, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, High Plains, Southwestern Tablelands, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Chihuahuan Basins and Playas, Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands, Chihuahuan Montane Woodlands, Low Mountains and Bajadas, Stockton Plateau
Balcones Canyonlands
Coastal Sand Plain, Floodplains and Low Terraces4, Laguna Madre Barrier Island and Coastal Marshes, Lower Rio Grande Alluvial Floodplain, Lower Rio Grande Valley, Mid-Coast Barrier Islands and Coastal Marshes, Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies, Southern Subhumid Gulf Coastal Prairies, Texas-Louisiana Coastal Marshes
Arid Llano Estacado, Canadian/Cimarron High Plains, Llano Estacado, Rolling Sand Plains, Shinnery Sands
Canadian/Cimarron Breaks, Caprock Canyons Badlands Breaks, Flat Tablelands and Valleys, Semiarid Canadian Breaks
Flatwoods

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Grass & Sedge

Height

2
to
3
ft.

Spread

1
to
2
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Moist, Saline

Light Requirement

Sun

Water Requirement

Medium, High

Native Habitat

Wetland or Riparian

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Seeds, Larval Host

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Birds

Maintenance

Used for revegetating saline, interior areas. Has extensive creeping rhizomes that can colonize an area quickly, Will adapt to drier soils. Native habitat: alkali flats, saline marshes

Comments

Blooms April-October. A rigid, erect, warm-season grass. Forms dense colonies of dark-green, leafy stems. The seed head is short and made up of large, smooth spikelets. Larval host: Sandhill Skipper, Alkali Skipper (Pseudocopaeodes eunus), Salt Marsh Skipper (Panoquina panoquin), Wandering Skipper (Panoquina errans).
Previous Scientific Name(s): Distichlis spicata ssp. stricta, Distichlis spicata var. borealis, Distichlis spicata var. divaricata, Distichlis spicata var. nana, Distichlis spicata var. stolonifera, Distichlis spicata var. stricta, Distichlis stricta, Distichlis stricta var. dentata, Uniola spicata

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed Scarification Soak seeds for 24 hours in water and plant in spring or early summer. The seeds can be sown directly on the surface of the soil or in containers of well-draining medium such as perlite and peat moss. Sow seeds shallowly (about ¼ inch deep) and keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Germination can be erratic and may take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months. Highest germination seems to come with 50 degree night and 105 degree day temperature regimes. Collect seeds directly from mature plants in the fall. Look for plump, dry seed heads that are easily dislodged. Rub them over a sieve to clean from chaff. Keep dry and store in a refrigerator. 1) https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-distichlis-spicata/ 2) https://npn.rngr.net/renderNPNProtocolDetails?selectedProtocolIds=poaceae-distichlis-586 3) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=DISP
Clump Division Replant each division promptly to avoid drying out the roots. Applying rooting hormone to the cut root sections can significantly boost root development in new divisions. Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil. Plant the divisions at the same depth they were originally growing. Water them in thoroughly. Carefully dig around the base of a healthy clump. Use a shovel or garden fork to lift the entire clump from the ground. Gently tease apart the grass into smaller sections, ensuring each division has a good amount of roots attached. 1) https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-distichlis-spicata/ 2) https://www.picturethisai.com/care/propagate/Distichlis_spicata.html
Root Cutting Plant in a well-draining soil mix about 2.5 cm deep and water regularly. The new plants can be transplanted once they have developed their second set of leaves. The roots of the plant need to be about 5 cm long and 0.5 cm in diameter. The cuttings can be taken in late fall or winter. https://www.botanikks.com/plants/distichlis-spicata-l-greene-var-divaricata-beetle/566270/1

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason