Small Cord-Grass Spartina maritima
Small Cord-Grass (Spartina maritima) is the only native cord-grass species in Britain, a low-growing pioneer of tidal mudflats and the lower saltmarsh. It is now nationally rare, having been largely displaced and hybridised out of existence by the invasive Common Cord-Grass (Spartina anglica) – itself a hybrid derived partly from S. maritima. Suffolk’s estuaries are among the most important sites for this species in Britain, with populations recorded on several of the county’s estuarine systems. Distinguishing true S. maritima from hybrids requires botanical expertise, and careful monitoring is needed to assess the status of remaining populations.Image: © Duarte Frade, iNaturalist.
Find out more: iNaturalist, Online Atlas of the British and Irish Flora, JNCC
Suffolk’s Priority Fern and Flowering Plant Species
Key
Listed as a conservation priority in Suffolk’s Biodiversity Action Plan.
Closely associated with Suffolk’s landscape and natural identity.
Identified as a key priority for recovery under Suffolk’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
Has a Species of the Month article attached.
