Schizachyrium littorale (G. Nash) E. Bicknell is a New World tropical-, subtropical-, and temperate-zone rhizomatous grass that is an important species on protected coastal beaches and in maritime grasslands. Herein, we present a review of the biology of this important species. Schizachyrium littorale has low freshwater moisture requirements, and it tolerates low nutrient levels, high sand temperature, and sand coverage. Also known as seacoast bluestem, it inhabits mobile, semistable, and relatively stable dune systems where it plays an important role in stabilizing secondary dunes and barrier flats. Barrier island grasslands dominated by S. littorale recover quickly following wildfires.
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1 July 2010
The Biological Flora of Coastal Dunes and Wetlands: Schizachyrium littorale (G. Nash) E. Bicknell
Robert I. Lonard,
Frank W. Judd
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Journal of Coastal Research
Vol. 2010 • No. 264
July 2010
Vol. 2010 • No. 264
July 2010
communities
economic importance
geomorphological interactions
habitats
morphology
population ecology
reproduction