Puccinellia distans
(Jacq.) Parl.
Common Name:
Weeping alkaligrass
Synonyms and Other Names:
reflexed salt grass; slender alkali grass, Poa distans; Glyceria distans; Glyceria pulvinata; Sclerochloa distans
Identification:
P. distans is an introduced species that grows to 10-60 cm tall. It is a tufted perennial with rough branches and an open, narrowly branched flower head. The smooth to rough sheaths are fully or partially open. There are no auricles. Membranelike ligules are blunt, 1 mm long and have a smooth edge (not toothed). Flat to inrolled leaves are 1.5-3.5 mm wide. The narrowly open flowerhead has spikelets with five to six flowers in each spikelet. The nearly equal glumes are oval shaped, have tiny hairs over the surface as well as along the edge, and are shorter than the first flower. Broadly oval lemmas have a blunt, ragged tip and bear scattered hairs at the base.
Size:
10-60 cm
Native Range:
Eurasia.
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This map only depicts Great Lakes introductions.
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Great Lakes Nonindigenous Occurrences:
First introduced in Montezuma, NY in 1893 near Lake Ontario. Current Great Lakes distributions: IL, IN, MI, MN, NY, OH, PA, WI.
Table 1. Great Lakes region nonindigenous occurrences, the earliest and latest observations in each state/province, and the tally and names of HUCs with observations†. Names and dates are hyperlinked to their relevant specimen records. The list of references for all nonindigenous occurrences of Puccinellia distans are found here.
Table last updated 4/17/2024
† Populations may not be currently present.
Ecology:
It grows in salt flats and along lakeshores in the lowland to montane zones. Adapted to moist, or periodically moist, saline soils. Able to withstand periodic flooding and shallow water tables. It is in flower from June to August.
Means of Introduction:
Solid ballast.
Status:
Established where reported.
Great Lakes Impacts:
Summary of species impacts derived from literature review. Click on an icon to find out more...
There is little or no evidence to support that Puccinellia distans has significant environmental impacts in the Great Lakes.
Puccinellia seedlings are described as having low competitive ability (Virtue and Melland 2003), and this is supported by Barrett-Lennard and Moore (2003) who report that in sown situations seedlings compete poorly with annual weeds. However, Puccinellia may readily establish in suitable habitats where there is limited competition from native vegetation or in areas of bare ground (such as salt marsh, lake edges or estuaries) (Virtue and Melland 2003). It may cause some displacement of other plant species but is unlikely to become dominant. In the Great Lakes region, this plant appears to outcompete natives only in areas with high salt contamination. This plant may slow water flow in previously open areas, but the effect is not likely significant. Given its habitat preference it is possible that it may have some silting effect in certain ecosystems, but this is undocumented. Puccinellia distans is not believed to effect nutrient levels. There is little or no evidence to support that Puccinellia distans has significant socioeconomic impacts in the Great Lakes.
Puccinellia distans has a moderate beneficial impact in the Great Lakes.
Puccinellia distans is apparently of no economic importance in the U.S. (Hitchcock and Chase 1950). Cultivars are sometimes used for fairways (roughs) and occasionally as a turfgrass in areas where salt contamination prevents other species from thriving (e.g., roadside trails). It can be used as a pioneer plant for the reclamation of badly salt affected and/or eroded sites. Research indicates that Puccinellia distans increases the microbial population significantly and may be of use in hydrocarbon degradation for phytoremediation (Ezzatian et al 2009).
Management:
Regulations (pertaining to the Great Lakes region)
There are no known regulations for this species. Note: Check federal, state/provincial, and local regulations for the most up-to-date information.
Control
Biological
No biological control methods for this species specifically have been reported.
Physical
No physical control methods for this species specifically have been reported.
Chemical
Alkali grasses are extremely tolerant of salinity and outcompete other grasses in most brackish conditions. Thus management efforts in the freshwater Great Lakes regions targeted at reducing salt contamination may benefit efforts to control P. distans.
Note: Check state/provincial and local regulations for the most up-to-date information regarding permits for control methods. Follow all label instructions.
Remarks:
This is a saltmarsh grass rather similar to common saltmarsh grass (Puccinellia maritima), but differing in having the branches of the inflorescence pointing downwards.
Synonyms: Poa distans; Glyceria distans; Glyceria pulvinata; Sclerochloa distans.
References
(click for full reference list)
Author:
Cao, L., and R. Sturtevant
Contributing Agencies:
Revision Date:
8/9/2019
Citation for this information:
Cao, L., and R. Sturtevant, 2024, Puccinellia distans (Jacq.) Parl.: U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL, and NOAA Great Lakes Aquatic Nonindigenous Species Information System, Ann Arbor, MI, https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/greatlakes/FactSheet.aspx?Species_ID=2689&Potential=N&Type=0&HUCNumber=DHuron, Revision Date: 8/9/2019, Access Date: 4/17/2024
This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.