A Farmer’s Notebook SPANISH RICE GRASS

Southland Times, Issue 23676, 26 November 1938, Page 19

A Farmer’s Notebook SPANISH RICE GRASS

Value In Reclaiming Mudflats PLANTS GROWING IN INVERCARGILL MOST SOUTHERLY IN WORLD OF SPECIES There is an interesting and littleknown type of grass growing in the estuary near the boat sheds at the Tweed street bridge. It is known as Spartina Townsendii or Spanish rice grass. It was recently drawn to the attention of the writer by the city engineer (Mr F. M. Corkill), who mentioned that the plants enjoyed the distinction of being the most southerly in the world of its species.

Spanish rice grass was first observed in England in the year 1870, in Southampton Water, and has since spread in a remarkable manner. It has proved to be an exceedingly valuable grass for reclaiming bare soft mudflats. In order to thrive it is necessary for it to be covered by at least three feet of water at high tide. Plants were first brought to New Zealand by Mr K. W. Dalrymple and planted at Foxton in 1913, where it did well but not to the same extent as it did in Southampton Water. It spreads by means of creeping rhizomes and in some countries by seeding. However, in New Zealand it has shown little inclination to seed and so far only one seed has been found. Stock have displayed a taste for it and in England it is reported to have been used for making into ensilage. The Spartina Townsendii grass has given satisfactory results for reclamation purposes in other parts, and there appears every prospect that it will be so in the Invercargill estuary, where 3000 additional plants were put out this week.