Cord Grass Prairie Spartina pectinata

Spartina pectinata, or Prairie Cord Grass, is a course, tough, perennial warm season grass with a growth habit as wide as it is tall. It typically grows in a dense, arching clump to 4-7 feet tall when in flower and is usually found in freshwater marshes, swampy open valleys, slough and pond margins, low spots along roads and railroads and both wet and dry prairie areas. This is one of our country's tallest grasses and is probably the species that gave rise to Midwestern settlers’ accounts of grass that was higher than a horse’s back.The dark green glossy leaves have sharp edges and you should protect your hands with gloves when handling the plant. This species is sometimes called ripgut because of the sharp-edged leaves. The seeds can cling to the fur of animals or clothing of humans; this spreads the seeds to new locations. 

Prairie Cord Grass grows best in fertile, moist to wet loams in full sun to part shade, but it will tolerate sandy or rocky soils if there is adequate moisture. Plants also tolerate some dry soils where they tend to grow/spread less aggressively. This grass is somewhat aggressive, although it won't tolerate regular mowing. Because the florets are self-incompatible and they may be subjected to heavy insect predation, it can be difficult to obtain viable seeds, but you can establish new plants through division of the rhizomes, which can spread on their own to form large colonies. Most growth and development occurs during the summer. This grass tolerates periods of hot dry weather and is very useful in controlling erosion on slopes or along streams.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:

This grass spreads aggressively and can be invasive. The larvae of several moth species feed on this specific type of grass.