Some Common Plants of Upper Newport Bay

Saltgrass  (Distichlis spicata)
Plant: A low growing perennial that reproduces by extensive creeping, yellowish, scaly rhizomes, forming large colonies.  Often produces colonies where all flowers are of one sex.
Flowers: On a few short branches with relatively few large, several to many flowered spikelets. Spikelets are purple to straw colored, 1/8 to 1/4 inch long.
Leaf: The flat blades are arranged on opposite sides of the stem, usually bluish-green.
Flowering period:   April to July
Use by Indians:  Dried salt was collected from the grass leaves.
Can be found here: Upper reaches of the salt marsh
Native Plant: Yes Halophyte: Yes
Family Name: Grass
Click on Picture for enlarged version

Date: 9/9/2007