California Coastal Commission, Public Education Program, Upper Newport Bay Plants

Saltgrass (Distichlis spicata)

Plant: A low growing perennial that reproduces by extensive creeping, yellowish, scaly rhizomes, forming large colonies. Often produces colonies where all flowers are of one sex.
Flowers: On a few short branches with several to many large, flowered spikelets. Spikelets are purple to straw colored, 1/8 to 1/4 inch long.
Leaf: The flat blades are arranged on opposite sides of the stem, usually bluish-green.