Plants for Gulf of Mexico Coastal Restoration

The Gulf Coast of the United States comprises the coastal states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. The lands adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico are made up of marshlands, bays, barrier islands, peninsulas, and are intersected by numerous rivers and streams that enter the gulf. Soils range from mineral sands to heavy organic mucks common to areas adjacent to the Mississippi river delta. The area contains a vast diversity of plant life adapted to freshwater, brackish, and saline marshes and mangrove swamps, as well as terrestrial species that grow on upland sites associated with coastal dunes and barrier islands.

The information below will assist with coastal shoreline reclamation, revegetation, wildlife habitat enhancement, and phytoremediation. An asterisk (*) next to the species name indicates that the plant is known to be tolerant to some level of hydrocarbon pollution and may be useful for phytoremediation efforts. Conservation Plant Releases developed by the Plant Materials Program selected for use in this area have been proven to be adapted over specific zones around the Gulf Coast Region. For plant species that do not have associated conservation plant releases identified, local ecotypes are available from commercial suppliers. Plant Fact Sheets and Plant Guides will assist you with proper plant selection, establishment, and management. Utilize the technical resources towards the bottom of the page to assist with planning your restoration project and locating sources of these plant materials.

On This Page

• Coastal Wetland Definitions
• Grasses, Sedges, and Rushes
• Forbs and Wildflowers
• Trees and Shrubs
• Technical Documents
• Vendors and Growers

Coastal Wetland Definitions

Plant communities along the coastline are dependent on salinity and hydrology.  The following definitions are used to identify where the plants in the tables below typically occur.  Salinity levels for each area are approximate.  In addition to salinity level, it is important to also be aware of the Wetland Indicator Status to properly place plants in the correct hydrologic zone.

• Saline Marsh – intertidal emergent wetland dominated by grasses, forbs, and shrubs that are tolerant to salinity ranges from moderate to essentially that of sea water (18- to 30-ppt salt).
• Brackish Marsh – intertidal emergent wetland dominated by grasses, forbs, and shrubs that are tolerant to salinities from slight to moderate (0.5 to 18 ppt salt).
• Tidal Freshwater Marsh and Swamp – emergent and forested freshwater (<0.5 ppt salt) wetlands dominated by herbaceous plants or trees, respectively, upstream from brackish marshes but where water levels changes are still tidally influenced.
• Mangrove Swamp – intertidal forested wetland with salinities similar to that of saline marshes but are dominated by either red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle), black mangrove (Avicennia germinans), or white mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa).
• Beaches and Dunes – intertidal and upland (above the mean high tide) dominated by disturbance and drought tolerant grasses and forbs, where wave and wind action is so frequent and disruptive as to prevent the formation of wetlands.

If you encounter any problems with the files provided on this page, please contact Webmaster at 520-292-2999 Ext. 112.

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Clicking on the scientific name will take you to detailed information in the PLANTS database.
Asterisk (*) indicates those plants tolerant to some level of hydrocarbon pollution.

Grasses, Sedges, and Rushes

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Forbs and Wildflowers

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Trees and Shrubs

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Technical Documents

Plant Materials Technical Note: Coastal Shoreline and Dune Restoration. (PDF; 651K) Rob Ziehr, John Lloyd-Reilley and Shelly Maher. 2011. STPMC and TX State Office, Kingsville, Texas. July 2010. 6p. (ID# 10670

Native Plants for Coastal Dune Restoration: What, When, and How for Florida (PDF; 12 MB) M.J. Williams. 2007. Florida NRCS, Gainesville, FL. 51p. (ID# 7474)

Native Plants for Mississippi Coastline Restoration (PDF; 713KB) Sherry Surrette, Cassandra Meyer. 2007.  Coffeeville, MS. 6p. (ID# 7156)

Coastal Waterbird Nesting Habitat Enhancement (PDF; 403 KB)  USDA-NRCS Kika de la Garza Plant Materials Center. Kingsville, TX. Oct. 2002. 2p.(ID# 4295)

Fact Sheet Streambank and Shoreline Protection - Conservation Practice 580  (PDF; 498 KB)  USDA-NRCS Plant Materials Program, Temple, TX.  September 1999.  2 p. (ID# 85)

Technical Note: A Bioengineering System for Coastal Shoreline Stabilization  (PDF; 51 KB)  USDA-NRCS Kingsville Plant Materials Center, Kingsville, TX. Sept. 1998. 6p.(ID# 2743)

Planting Guidelines for Black Mangrove (Avicennia germinans) (PDF; 687KB) G. Thomassie. 2005. Galliano, LA. Feb 2005. 6p. (ID# 5917)

Planting Guidelines for California bulrush (Schoenopletus californicus) (PDF; 2.2MB) Materne, M. and Fine, G. 2000. Baton Rouge, LA. Sept. 2000. 6p. (ID# 5831)

Planting Guidelines for Smooth Cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) (PDF; 2.5MB) Materne, M. and G. Fine. 2000. Baton Rouge, LA. Oct. 1999. 6p. (ID# 5832)

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Vendors and Growers

Coastal Wetland Plant Vendors for Louisiana (PDF; 59kb) Morris Houck. 2009. Alexandria, LA. Revised May 2010. 3p. (ID# 9049)