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, Greece, 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, 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, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from rhizomes following fire. Fire can help control woody encroachment in fen and marsh habitats.
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
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Germinates best in consistently wet conditions with fluctuating temperatures. Seeds require light for germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).
Source: Claude AI