Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Poaceae

Genus:

Distichlis

Species:

Distichlis littoralis

USDA Symbol:

MOLI

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Graminoid

Height:

30 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

Medium

Bloom Months:

jun,jul,aug,sep

Ground Cover:

Yes

Lawn Substitute:

Yes

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

birds, 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 removes thatch and promotes new growth.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

sandy, saline, nutrient-poor soil

pH:

6.0 - 8.5 (neutral to slightly alkaline)

Drainage:

tolerates poor drainage

Moisture:

consistently moist

Notes:

commonly found in coastal salt marshes

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

None required

Germination Time:

14–28 days

Notes:

Spreads primarily by rhizomes; seed germination is secondary propagation method.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI