Distichlis spicata

Distichlis spicata, more commonly known as saltgrass can be found at all elevations throughout the United States except for Arkansas, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Vermont. Elevation-wise, saltgrass grows between 2500 and 6000 feet, with 8 to 14 inches of rainfall per year.

Locally, saltgrass can be found in and near the playas (small, seasonal lakes caused by runoff and precipitation) surrounding the Great Salt Lake, as well as salt marshes, river bottoms, or in areas where soil salinity is between 0.1% to 1.5% and in extreme cases, put to 3%.

It is a small, slow-growing plant, ranging from 4 to 16 inches tall. It begins growing in the summer and remains green until autumn.

Saltgrass is adapted to fire, and trampling. This makes it very useful for erosion control, especially along cattle trails. It is not used for grazing, except as a last resort, as cattle find it unpalatable.

Halophytes have adapted to high alkali environments in a variety of ways. D. spicata copes with its hostile environment by secreting excess salt taken up from the soil through glands on its leaves. Salt crystals can actually be seen covering the plant.

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