Sawgrass. What a perfect name! The long straplike leaves are serrated on the sides, and
capable of inflicting serious wounds. It forms nearly impenetrable stands, especially in the
Florida Everglades.
It is technically a sedge, one of a large group of grasslike species, most of which are modest in
size. Sawgrass is native to the Caribbean islands and southeastern United States. It
prefers limestone soils at the edges of freshwaster and brackish marshes, lakes, streams, and ponds.
Plants: Culms (stems) are 3-9½′ (1-3 m) long × ⅛-⅜″ (5-10 mm) wide.
Leaves: Alternate, flat or almost flat, like a squished diamond
in cross-section, ⅛-⅜″ (5-11 mm) wide, with
parallel veins.
Flowers: Spikes 12-20″ (30-50 cm) in height
display 6-9 brownish flower
clusters. Flowers appear from July to October.
Fruits: Achenes are light greenish brown
and ovoid in shape, about 1/16″ (2 mm) × 1/32″ (1 mm).