Cladium jamaicense Crantz

Swamp Sawgrass; Jamaica Swamp Sawgrass

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Swamp Sawgrass is a native herbaceous perennial in the Sedge family (Cyperaceae). It occurs in the southeastern United States, Mexico, the West Indies, Central America, and northern South America. In Alabama it is found in brackish and freshwater marshes near the coast in Baldwin and Mobile counties. Swamp Sawgrass is a perennial from a rhizome. Stems are erect, 3-6 feet in height and unbranched. The stems are hollow and slightly 3-angled. The leaves are basal and from the lower portion of the stem. The leaves are alternate, linear in outline, and flat or V-shaped. Small teeth visible without magnification occur along the margins and midveins of the leaf. The leaves are grey-green in color, and very stiff. Flowers are produced in a terminal panicle with some 4th order branching. Spikelets occur in groups of 2-3 at the ends of the drooping branches. The spikelets are ellipsoid to lanceolate in outline and chestnut brown in color. The fruit is a greenish-brown achene. Swamp Sawgrass is the dominant species throughout much of the Florida Everglades. It is very tolerant of salt and salt spray, and is used in wetland restoration projects. It is sometime available from native plant nurseries, and can be used as a tall emergent around ponds. However, due to the sharp saw-like serrations on the leaves it should not be planted near areas where people frequent. Sawgrass is the larval host plant for the Palatka Skipper (Euphyes pilatka).—A. Diamond.

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Native OBL (NWPL)

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