Coastal Plain Marsh Plant List
Graminoids
- sedge (Bulbostylis capillaris)
- blue-joint (Calamagrostis canadensis)
- sedges (Carex lasiocarpa, C. oligosperma, C. pellita, C. scoparia, and others)
- twig-rush (Cladium mariscoides)
- umbrella sedge (Cyperus bipartitus)
- Eaton’s panic grass (Dichanthelium spretum)
- purple spike-rush (Eleocharis atropurpurea)
- Engelmann’s spike-rush (Eleocharis engelmannii)
- bright green spike-rush (Eleocharis flavescens)
- black-fruited spike-rush (Eleocharis melanocarpa)
- Robbin’s spike-rush (Eleocharis robbinsii)
- three-ribbed spike-rush (Eleocharis tricostata)
- autumn sedge (Fimbristylis autumnalis)
- two-flowered rush (Juncus biflorus)
- brown-fruited rush (Juncus pelocarpus)
- round-headed rush (Juncus scirpoides)
- dwarf bulrush (Lipocarpha micrantha)
- brownish beak-rush (Rhynchospora capitellata)
- tall beak-rush (Rhynchospora macrostachya)
- bald-rush (Rhynchospora scirpoides)
- Pursh’s tufted bulrush (Schoenoplectus purshianus)
- Smith’s bulrush (Schoenoplectus smithii)
- Torrey’s bulrush (Schoenoplectus torreyi)
- tall nut-rush (Scleria triglomerata)
Forbs
- screw-stem (Bartonia virginica)
- water-shield (Brasenia schreberi)
- spatulate-leaved sundew (Drosera intermedia)
- pipewort (Eriocaulon aquaticum)
- slender goldentop (Euthamia caroliniana)
- northern St. John’s-wort (Hypericum boreale)
- Canadian St. John’s-wort (Hypericum canadense)
- seedbox (Ludwigia alternifolia)
- yellow pond-lilies (Nuphar advena and N. variegata)
- sweet-scented waterlily (Nymphaea odorata)
- smartweeds (Persicaria spp.)
- cross-leaved milkwort (Polygala cruciata)
- field milkwort (Polygala sanguinea)
- pondweeds (Potamogeton spp.)
- meadow beauty (Rhexia virginica)
- tooth-cup (Rotala ramosior)
- little ladies’-tresses (Spiranthes tuberosa)
- hyssop hedge nettle (Stachys hyssopifolia)
- bushy aster (Symphyotrichum dumosum)
- Virginia marsh St. John’s-wort (Triadenum virginicum)
- horned bladderwort (Utricularia cornuta)
- humped bladderwort (Utricularia gibba)
- purple bladderwort (Utricularia purpurea)
- small purple bladderwort (Utricularia resupinata)
- lance-leaved violet (Viola lanceolata)
- bog yellow-eyed-grass (Xyris difformis)
- slender yellow-eyed-grass (Xyris torta)
Fern Allies
- bog clubmoss (Lycopodiella inundata)
- Virginia chain-fern (Woodwardia virginica)
Mosses
- sphagnum mosses (Sphagnum spp.)
Shrubs
- black chokeberry (Aronia prunifolia)
- buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)
- leatherleaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata)
- dogwoods (Cornus spp.)
- whorled loosestrife (Decodon verticillatus)
- shrubby St. John’s-wort (Hypericum prolificum)
- swamp dewberry (Rubus hispidus)
- steeplebush (Spiraea tomentosa)
- smooth highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum)
Trees
- red maple (Acer rubrum)
- black gum (Nyssa sylvatica)
- pin oak (Quercus palustris)
Citation
Cohen, J.G., M.A. Kost, B.S. Slaughter, D.A. Albert, J.M. Lincoln, A.P. Kortenhoven, C.M. Wilton, H.D. Enander, M.E. Anderson, M.R. Parr, T.J. Bassett, and K.M. Korroch. 2025. Michigan Natural Community Classification [web application]. Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Michigan State University Extension, Lansing, MI. Available https://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/communities/classification. (Accessed: April 17, 2026).