prairie cordgrass

This species of grass has hard, sturdy, hollow stems that may reach 3 m (9.8 ft) in height. They grow from a network of woody rhizomes and tough roots that form a sod. The roots penetrate over 3 m (9.8 ft) into the soil. The leaves have sharp, serrated edges. The panicle may be up to 50 cm (20 in) long and may have many branches. Each spikelet is up to 2.5 cm (0.98 in) in length. This grass can spread via its rhizome, producing large monotypic stands. There is currently ongoing debate whether to change the taxon of Spartina to Sporobolus due to DNA-based phylogenetic studies; however, the matter remains unresolved with some groups adopting a new, subjective name rather than the historical nomenclature priority of Spartina. This outstanding debate has created several papers defending precedence of Spartina as a taxon over Sporobolus as a distinctly subjective name change.

This species can grow in a variety of habitat types, but it is a facultative wetland species, most often found in wet habitats. These include fens, wet prairies, rivers, floodplains, ponds, moraines, and marshes. The grass is tolerant of water, but it does not tolerate prolonged flooding. Its dense root network stabilizes soil, even in areas where it would be eroded by flowing water. The larvae of Photedes inops host on Sporobolus michauxianus, apparently exclusively.

Livestock may graze on this plant when it is young, but once it matures it becomes very coarse and unpalatable. This species has been investigated as a possible source of biofuel. Prairie cordgrass when sown in combination with Virginia wildrye has shown promise in competing with the invasive and vigorous Japanese Knotweed.

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