Spartina Grass

Spartina alterniflora

By: Caroline Butz

Spartina Grass, also known as Spartina alterniflora is found in saltmarshes in the Atlantic Coast and sometimes near Canada.  The domain is eukaryote, kingdom plant, phylum vascular, class liliopsida, order poales, family grasses, genus Spartina, and species alterniflora.  This organism has a thick end, making it harder to bend and snap, that is a structural adaptation.  A behavioral adaptation is how Spartina Grass uses the puff mud to situate and hold itself in place.  Spartina Grass is on the water’s edge, allowing it to have the necessities for photosynthesis, but the Spartina is not drowned, which is a structural adaptation.  Spartina grass is home to 7 organisms and more, including snails, tadpoles, mosquito larvae, crawfish, frogs, and turtles.  This organism feeds on sunlight energy, water, nutrients, and carbon dioxide.  Spartina Grass is not eaten by any organisms.  This organism has asymmetry, meaning it is not symmetrical and is an autotrophic organism.    

Spartina Grass