Sawgrass is a prominent plant in wetland ecosystems, contributing significantly to their health and function. Despite its common name, sawgrass is not a true grass but rather a member of the sedge family, characterized by its distinct physical features. This plant forms extensive communities, creating unique habitats that support a wide array of life.
Identifying Saw Grass
Sawgrass is readily recognizable by several unique physical characteristics. Its common name reflects the sharp, serrated edges of its leaves, which are lined with minute, silica-based teeth capable of cutting skin. These stiff, tough leaves typically grow long, ranging from 3 to 10 feet in height. The leaves are often grey-green and can appear V-shaped in cross-section.
Unlike true grasses, sawgrass stems are solid and triangular in cross-section, rather than hollow and round. This distinction is a key identifier. Sawgrass plants grow in dense clumps, forming dense, continuous stands. It reproduces both through seeds and by spreading via underground stems called rhizomes, which contribute to its dense growth patterns. The plant also produces tall, branched flower stalks that extend above the leaves, bearing small, brown spikelets.
Where Saw Grass Thrives
Sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense) flourishes in wetland environments, particularly in areas with shallow, slow-moving water. It is a dominant species in freshwater marshes, wet prairies, and sloughs, and can be found along the edges of lakes and swamps. While primarily associated with wet conditions, sawgrass can also grow in drier locations, sometimes indicating the presence of an underground spring.
The plant is well-adapted to environmental conditions, including prolonged periods of inundation or flooding, as well as occasional drought and fire. It prefers rich, dark peat soils, or limestone and oolitic soils, and can thrive in infertile conditions, especially in wet sites with low phosphorus levels. Geographically, sawgrass is widely distributed across tropical and temperate regions globally, including parts of Africa and various Pacific Islands. In the Americas, it extends throughout the southeastern United States, from Virginia to Texas and New Mexico, as well as the West Indies, Central America, and South America. Its most renowned habitat is the Florida Everglades, where its vast expanses led to the nickname “River of Grass.”
The Role of Saw Grass in Ecosystems
Sawgrass plays a foundational role in the ecosystems it inhabits, significantly influencing the landscape and supporting a wide array of organisms. Its dense growth provides shelter and nesting sites for various wildlife, including birds, reptiles, and amphibians. American alligators, for instance, frequently build their nests within dense sawgrass stands, utilizing the protective cover. The plant also serves as a larval host for certain insect species, such as the Palatka skipper butterfly.
The extensive root systems of sawgrass contribute to both soil building and stabilization. These roots form thick layers of peat through the accumulation of decaying plant matter, which helps to maintain the wetland’s elevation and structural integrity. The plant also acts as a natural water filtration system, absorbing excess nutrients and pollutants from the water, thereby helping to purify it. Furthermore, sawgrass can slow down the flow of water, which assists in managing storm water and preventing erosion. Periodic fires, while burning above-ground tissues, allow the wet roots to survive and play a part in maintaining sawgrass habitats by preventing the encroachment of woody vegetation.