saltgrasses

Noun

saltgrass (countable and uncountable, plural saltgrasses)

1. American grass of species Distichlis spicata, that can tolerate alkali and salty conditions.
   • Palmer parted the towering saltgrass and pickleweed downwind of the elk.2009 September 13, Michael Brick, “Stalking a Majestic Beast With an Eye on the Record Book”, in New York Times

   Synonyms:

   seashore saltgrass, inland saltgrass, desert saltgrass

2. Similar salt-tolerant species in the genus Distichlis.
   • The perennial saltgrass nipa (Distichlis palmeri, Poaceae) is endemic to northern Gulf of California tidal marshes flooded with hypersaline seawater.2012, S.L. Pearlsteina, R.S. Felgera, E.P. Glenna, J. Harringtond, K.A. Al-Ghaneme, S.G. Nelson, “Nipa (Distichlis palmeri): A perennial grain crop for saltwater irrigation”, in Journal of Arid...

   Synonyms:

   Palmer's grass, nipa grass, Baja grass, Australian salt-grass