Weirs Closed

[Reggoh]

Originally Posted by Smalls

But for God's sake, can anyone on here tell me the difference between oystergrass, wiregrass, and jamaican sawgrass?

I've been following this post because it has been fairly educational for someone like myself that doesn't have a background as a fishing guide, marsh restoration specialist, fish biologist, or wetlands biologist.

But for God's sake, can you please explain why you keep asking this question?

It was starting to frustrate me so I decided to look up these plants. The only one I could find is the Jamiacan Sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense)... the other two I can't even find a reference to them online.

Spill the beans... what's the importance? Or is it only important that the average joe person doesn't know the difference so we aren't qualified to have an opinion?

[Smalls]

Originally Posted by Reggoh

It was starting to frustrate me so I decided to look up these plants. The only one I could find is the Jamiacan Sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense)... the other two I can't even find a reference to them online.

Spill the beans... what's the importance? Or is it only important that the average joe person doesn't know the difference so we aren't qualified to have an opinion?

Sorry, I was using the names that most people are familiar with. The accepted name of oystergrass is Smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora), and the accepted name of wiregrass is marshhay cordgrass (Spartina patens).

The Spartinas are more salt hardy species. The difference is, S. alterniflora can tolerate more water than S. patens can. The two forms dominant different parts of the marsh. Patens typically dominates high marsh, Alterniflora dominates the lower marsh. In an natural setting, Patens will be limited in where it grows by water, while it will limit where Alterniflora can grow.

[Reggoh]

Originally Posted by Smalls

Sorry, I was using the names that most people are familiar with. The accepted name of oystergrass is Smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora), and the accepted name of wiregrass is marshhay cordgrass (Spartina patens).

The Spartinas are more salt hardy species. The difference is, S. alterniflora can tolerate more water than S. patens can. The two forms dominant different parts of the marsh. Patens typically dominates high marsh, Alterniflora dominates the lower marsh. In an natural setting, Patens will be limited in where it grows by water, while it will limit where Alterniflora can grow.

I think most people that fish and hunt around Southwest LA know that there are plants that are more or less susceptible to saltwater intrusion... we may not know all the technical stuff but I think we get the gist.

Onward with the discussion!!