Description:
Spartina alterniflora is a rhizomatous perennial grass, two to four feet tall. The stems are hollow and hairless. The leaf blades are 1/4 to 3/5 inches wide. The leaves lack auricles and have ligules that consist of a fringe of hairs. The flowers are inconspicuous and are borne in greatly congested spikes, two to three inches long (Hitchcock et al. 1969). The plant is deciduous; its stems die back at the end of each growing season (Ebasco Environmental 1992a).

• Mechanical: Seedlings can be pulled out effectively. Care must be taken to remove both shoots and roots. Seedlings generally begin tillering late in their first growing season. Once the plant has tillered, hand-pulling may break off portions of root, allowing the plant to resprout. Repeated pullings will eventually kill small plants (Spartina Task Force 1994).
• Biological: Spartina alterniflora was introduced to Washington without any of the insect predators that damage it in its native range. Insects native to the Pacific Northwest cause little damage to the species, resulting in plants that average greater vigor and stature than specimens within the species’ native range (Strong 1990).
• Herbicide: Rodeo™ (glyphosate) is the only herbicide presently labeled for use on Spartina alterniflora in Washington. Reports of control with Rodeo™ are varied, ranging from 100% (Crockett 1991) to 0% (Balthuis and Scott 1993). Refer to the State Noxious Weed Control Board site

For More Information:
Detailed information about Smooth Cordgrass is available at the Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board Web Site.