NOAA Restoration Day: Species Specifics

Three species of bay grasses have been grown since this effort began in 2002. Redhead Grass (Potamogeton perfoliatus), Sago Pondweed (Stuckenia pectinata) and Wild celery (Vallisneria Americana). Each of these species is described in detail below. For more information about all of the Maryland species of SAV, see the Maryland DNR: Bay Grass Key:  http://www.dnr.state.md.us/bay/sav/key/index.asp

Redhead Grass (Potamogeton perfoliatus)

• Family: Potamogetonaceae
• Description: Straight stems and rounded leaves. It is one of the most easily recognizable SAV species in the bay because of its flat, oval-shaped leaves, the base of which are attached to the plant stem. Leaves are flat and oval-shaped, 1-7 cm (< 1/3 in to 2 in) long and 1-4 cm (1/3 in to 1 2/3 in) wide with parallel veination.
• Location: Native to Chesapeake Bay
• Salinity: Typically found in fresh to moderately brackish and alkaline waters (5-15 ppt).
• Water Clarity and Substrate: Grows best on firm, muddy soils and in quiet water with slow-moving currents. The wide, horizontal leaves of redhead grass may be more susceptible to covering by epiphytic growth than those of other SAV.
• Pressures: Excellent waterfowl food, named for redhead duck which is feeds upon it frequently.
• For more information: Maryland DNR's Bay Grass Key on Redhead Grass, http://www.dnr.state.md.us/bay/sav/key/
  redhead_grass.asp
  

Sago Pondweed (Stuckenia pectinata)

• Family: Potamogetonaceae
• Description: Thin, bushy leaves with terminal seed clusters. It has thread-like leaves are 3 to 10 cm (1 _ in to 4 in) long, and 0.5 to 2 mm (1/32 in to 1/16 in) wide, and taper to a point. The basal sheath of leaves sometimes has a pointed tip or bayonet that aids in identification when plants are not in flower.
• Location: Native to Chesapeake Bay and is widely distributed in the United States, South America, Europe, Africa and Japan.
• Salinity: It can tolerate high alkalinity and grows on silty-muddy sediments and is found in moderately brackish water (5-25 ppt). In the Chesapeake Bay, it is widespread growing in fresh non-tidal to moderately brackish waters.
• Water Clarity and Substrate: It tolerates strong currents and wave action better than most SAV because of its long rhizomes and runners.
• Pressures: Excellent waterfowl food
• For more information: Maryland DNR's Bay Grass Key on Sago Pondweed, http://www.dnr.state.md.us/bay/sav/key/
  sago_pondweed.asp

Water Stargrass (Heteranthera dubia)

• Family - Pontederiaceae
• Description - Water stargrass has grass-like leaves with no distinct midvein. Leaves are arranged alternately on freely-branching stems, with the basal parts of the leaf forming a sheath which wraps around the stem. In summer, water stargrass produces yellow star-like flowers that protrude above the water surface. The terrestrial form also produces flowers, but branching of stems is reduced or absent and leaves are small or leathery.
• Location: Native to Chesapeake Bay
• Distribution - Water stargrass can be found in non-tidal freshwater areas of tributaries, and in streams, lakes and ponds. Water stargrass is rarely found in tidal areas, but has been identified in the upper tidal Potomac River. It grows primarily in clayey or calcareous soils, but is also reported to grow in gravel streams. Water stargrass can tolerate moderately eutrophic waters. A terrestrial form of water stargrass with waxy cuticle can also be found when low water levels strand plants on shore.
• Salinity: 0-5ppt
• Ecological Significance - Water stargrass has a conspicuous (bright yellow) flower that projects above the water surface during the summer. Unlike other bay grasses, water stargrass also has a terrestrial form that develops when low water levels strand the plant (the origin of its other common name, mud plantain).
• Similar Species - The leaves of water stargrass are similar in appearance to those of the Naiads (Najas spp.).
• Reproduction - Reproduction of water stargrass is by sexual and asexual means. During sexual reproduction yellow flowers are perfect and arise from a six-lobed spathe with a long thread-like tube. Flowers that do not reach the water surface remain closed and self-pollinate. Seeds are produced over the winter months and germinate in spring. Asexual reproduction occurs throughout the growing season by broken stem fragments. Water stargrass becomes dormant in winter, and stems and broken stem tips remain in the sediment until spring.
• For more information: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/bay/sav/key/water_stargrass.asp

Widgeon Grass (Ruppia maritime)

• Family: Ruppiaceae
• Description:  Linear, thread-like leaves are 3 to 10 cm (1 ¼ in to 4 in) long and 0.5 mm (<1/32 in) wide; these are arranged alternately along slender, branching stems. Leaves have a basal sheath and a rounded tip. Widgeon grass has an extensive root system of branched, creeping rhizomes that lack tubers. 
• Location:  Native to Chesapeake Bay.
• Salinity:  Tolerates a wide range of salinity, from the slightly brackish upper and mid-Bay tributaries to near seawater salinity in the lower Bay, has also been reported to grow in the freshwater parts of some estuaries.   Can also be found growing in ditches alongside roads and agricultural fields where it derives its other common name, ditch grass
• Water Clarity and Substrate:  In more saline lower Bay areas, widgeon grass and eelgrass are the dominant bay grass species. Widgeon grass is most common in shallow areas with sandy substrates, although it occasionally grows on soft, muddy sediments.
• Pressures: High wave action can damage the slender stems and leaves of widgeon grass.  It is also one of the more valuable waterfowl food sources and all parts of the plant have nutritional value
• For more information: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/bay/sav/key/
  widgeon_grass.asp

Wild Celery (Vallisneria Americana)

• Family: Hydrocharitaceae
• Description: Long, flat ribbon-like leaves arising from a cluster at the base of the plant are minutely serrate with bluntly rounded tips. Leaves grow to 1.5 m (5 ft) in length and approximately 1 cm (1/3 in) width. A light green stripe runs down the center of the finely-veined leaves.
• Location: Native to Chesapeake Bay and found from the Atlantic Coastal Plain states west to Wisconsin and Minnesota.
• Salinity: It is primarily a freshwater species (5 ppt or less), although it is occasionally found in brackish waters (up to 12-15 ppt).
• Water Clarity and Substrate: Prefers coarse silty to sandy soil, and is fairly tolerant of murky waters and high nutrient loading. It can tolerate wave action better than some other SAV species.
• Pressures: Excellent waterfowl food
• For more information: Maryland DNR's Bay Grass Key on Wild Celery, http://www.dnr.state.md.us/bay/sav/key/wild_celery.asp
  

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