The Biological Flora of Coastal Dunes and Wetlands: Schizachyrium littorale (G. Nash) E. Bicknell

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.