Jamaica swamp sawgrass is a native herbaceous perennial in the sedge family (Cyperaceae) that grows in boggy type soils from coastal VA south to FL and west to TX including NC. Its native habitat is brackish and fresh-tidal river marshes, upper edges of salt marshes, interdune swales and marshes. This famous sedge dominates many square miles in the Everglades in FL. The Genus name is from the Greek kladion meaning “a small branch”. The species' name is from Ancient Greek marískos, meaning “bog rush”. This large sedge in flower can reach 8-9 feet tall and prefers full sun to partial shade in fertile wet soils to standing water. Propagation is by division of rhizomes and seed. The large v-shaped leaves are up to 5 feet long with scabrous edges capable of cutting skin and fabric. The branching inflorescence can be 1-2 feet long and occurs in July with fruiting in October. This is a good plant for naturalized coastal areas in both brackish and freshwater to help control erosion. It is used in wetland restoration projects. Do not plant in areas where foot traffic will occur due to the sharp edges of the leaves.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil drainage
Frequent Standing Water
NC region
Coastal
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Coarse
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Sheath; Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf margin
Entire; Serrate
Leaf feel
Leathery; Rough
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Leaves spiral along the length of the stem and can be 20 inches long or more and 1/3 inch wide. Margins are sharply scabrous and teeth are also present along the main vein.. The blade can be flat or v-shaped.
Flower color
Brown/Copper
Flower form
Panicle
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
The brownish flowers occur on 1-2 foot branching panicles. Spikelets occur in groups of 2-3 at the ends of the drooping branches. Blooms July to October
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Greenish-brown achenes
Stem color
Gray/Silver; Green
Stem detail
Stems are hollow, smooth 3- angled and gray-green with several internodes along the 3 to 9.5 feet length.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
North America, Mexico, the West Indies, Central America
Distribution
AL , AR , FL , GA , HI , LA , MS , NC , NM , SC , TX , VA
Wildlife value
Sawgrass is the larval host plant for the Palatka Skipper
Attracts
Butterflies
Host plant for
Palatka Skipper
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Achene
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Pond; Riparian; Slope/Bank
Landscape theme
Rain Garden; Water Garden
Design feature
Barrier; Mass Planting
Garden tags
#sedge #rain garden #wet soil #brackish water tolerant #sharp edges #erosion control #mass planting #large leaves #barrier