Large areas of the Florida Everglades are covered by freshwater marshes. These flooded habitats have different categories, but the most common one is the sawgrass marsh. What is the importance of this habitat, and what is this abundant plant it’s named for?
What is Sawgrass?
Sawgrass is a slim, tall plant that can grow to over 9 feet high! It’s commonly found in wetlands and along riverbanks in the southern United States. The sawgrass marsh is the habitat that inspired the Everglades’ nickname and title of Marjory Stoneman Douglas’ famous book, “Everglades: River of Grass”.
Despite its name, this Everglades plant is actually a species of sedge, not a grass. But sawgrass is also named for the fine, sharp points that run along its edges. These teeth can cut a person on contact. At Mack’s Fish Camp, we make sure that no one makes contact with it while on an airboat tour.
Sawgrass and Everglades Ecology
Sawgrass may not be so kind to human touch, but it’s very good to the environment of the Florida Everglades. In the winter months, migratory bird species eat the seeds produced by the sawgrass. Other bird species and even alligators use this tall, sharp sedge as protection by nesting in the sawgrass marsh.
The sawgrass marsh is flooded for much of the year, which can help produce taller and thicker sawgrass. If its growth becomes too thick and dense, it can further slow the sheetflow of the Everglades. During the Everglades dry season, sawgrass can help fuel wildfires. The wet soil which roots the plant allows it to recover while also removing any invading plants or trees from the marsh.
Like much of the flora and fauna found in the Everglades, sawgrass is strong enough to thrive here and help the ecosystem at the same time. Although it’s best to avoid touching it, you can see the River of Grass up close on an Everglades airboat tour at Mack’s Fish Camp.