saltgrass

Family

Poaceae

Scientific Name

Distichlis spicata

Other Common Names:

desert saltgrass

inland saltgrass

marsh spikegrass

sea-shore salt-grass

Synonyms (former Scientific Names):

Distichlis spicata var. nana

Distichlis spicata var. borealis

Distichlis spicata ssp. stricta

Distichlis spicata var. divaricata

Distichlis stricta

Distichlis spicata var. stolonifera

Distichlis spicata var. stricta

Uniola spicata

Habit

This crawling perennial, flowers from February through November.

Leaves

The alternate leaves are composed of three ovate or elliptic leaflets. Each 2 to 6 mm long leaflets are hairy and have rounded teeth along the margins. The creeping stems have many runners, and are also hairy.

Identifying Characteristics

This plant is similar to the wild strawberry, and can be identified by the rounded teeth on the leaf margins, and also by the yellow flowers. Unlike cinquefoil, there are only 3 leaflets.

Flower Seed Head

Single flowers arise from the leaf axils on long petioles. Each small flower has 5 yellow petals.

Seed Fruit

The small, fleshy, strawberry-like fruit can be found from April through November. The surface of each fruit is covered with many small pits, or achenes, containing the seeds.

Where Found

This plant prefers moist, open, shady areas, and can be found growing along forests, in pastures, and in lawns.

Life Cycle

perennial

Plant Type

Grass