Sporobolus anglicus
Sporobolus anglicus
Safety & Hazards
None known
Cultivation Details
Succeeds in fresh or salt water marshes and also in ordinary garden soil[1]. Prefers a deep rich moist soil in sun or light shade[2]. Successful establishment of the plant is more likely to occur in silt rather that sand sediments[3]. Sporobolus anglicus arose as a fertile species in southern England at Hythe, Southampton water during the nineteenth century. It was the result of chromosome doubling by Sporobolus × townsendii (2n=61-62), the sterile hybrid between the native small cord-grass Sporobolus maritimus (2n=60) and the introduced North American smooth cord-grass Sporobolus alterniflorus (2n=62). This is a classic example of allopolyploid speciation[3]. This species photosynthesizes by a more efficient method than most plants. Called the 'C4 carbon-fixation pathway', this process is particularly efficient at high temperatures, in bright sunlight and under dry conditions[3].
Propagation
Seed - requires light for germination. Seed is generally of low vigour - sow in a greenhouse in spring and only just cover the seed. Germination should take place within 2 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Plant out in the summer if sufficient growth has been made, otherwise overwinter them in a cold frame and plant them out in the following spring. Division in spring. Very easy, it can also be carried out at other times of year, the divisions being planted direct into their permanent positions. Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2026-02-21. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Sporobolus+anglicus>
Pollinators
Wind
References
- [1]Ornamental Grasses. — Grounds. R. · Christopher Helm · 1989 · ISBN 0-7470-1219-9 ↩︎Cultivation details of many of the grasses and bamboos. Well illustrated.
- [2]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · MacMillan Press · 1992 · ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ↩︎Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
- [3]Invasive Species Compendium — http://www.cabi.org ↩︎An immense resource - in depth information on over 900 species of invasive plants (it also has information on animals, fungi etc).
- [4]Flora of China — Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis. · 1994 · http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/ ↩︎An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
- [5]Plants for Human Consumption. — Kunkel. G. · Koeltz Scientific Books · 1984 · ISBN 3874292169 ↩︎An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of Latin names with a brief list of edible parts.