Swamp Sawgrass
Cladium mariscus
- Native to:
- Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azores, Bahamas, Baleares, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cayman Is., Chad, China, Colombia, Corse, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, East Aegean Is., Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Guam, Guatemala, Hainan, Haiti, Hawaii, Honduras, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Korea, Kriti, Krym, Lebanon-Syria, Leeward Is., Libya, Mexico, Morocco, Nansei-shoto, Nepal, Netherlands, New Caledonia, Nicaragua, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Ogasawara-shoto, Oman, Palestine, Panamá, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Sardegna, Saudi Arabia, Sicilia, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Turkmenistan, Turks-Caicos Is., Ukraine, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Virgin Islands, Windward Is.
iNaturalist: © robertlangellier (iNaturalist #136144466)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Cyperaceae
- Genus:
- Cladium
- Species:
- Cladium mariscus
- USDA Symbol:
- CLMA10
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 250 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- brown
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Lithacodia muscosula, Palatka skipper (Euphyes pilatka)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, waterfowl
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from rhizomes after fire; fire can reduce litter and promote seedling establishment in wetlands.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- peaty, nutrient-rich, waterlogged soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Commonly found in fens and marshes
Propagation & Germination
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).
Source: Claude AI