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Their ability to collect and stabilise mud has made them useful plants. Through deliberate introduction, Spartinas have been used both in coastal protection and reclamation projects in many parts of the world.

The Hythe Spartina Story.
A true native, Spartina maritima was the only cord-grass known in this country until the early nineteenth century. In 1829 a Dr Bromfield discovered Spartina alterniflora, it's American cousin, here in Hythe. This was probably carried across the Atlantic on the bottom of a boat.

In 1870 another cord-grass appeared. This was named Spartina x townsendii, a probable hybrid between the two originals and found to be infertile. Further evolution led to Spartina angelica. Although first collected in the 1890s, it was not identified as being distinct and fertile until 60 years later. Meanwhile it had colonised every estuary from Chichester to Poole!

Fragments of the plant were exported to many countries including Holland for use in land reclamation and China where over 90,000 acres of coastline have been colonised.

Today, the majority of Spartina in the estuary is townsendii with some angelica and just a few remaining vulnerable patches of the original invader, alterniflora. However, Spartina is not universally popular. It can colonise mudflats previously valuable to wildfowl and take over fishing grounds.

Many other plants, including Sea-purslane and Sea Aster, owe their existence here to the mud-gathering abilities of Spartina. In addition, waders such as Oystercatcher, Redshank, Curlew and Lapwing are attracted by the mudbanks where they feed as the tide retreats. At high tide they can be seen resting on the dry shell-banks.

Hythe Spartina marshes are owned by the New Forest District Council and managed, under lease, by Hampshire Wildlife Trust. The site is managed with grant aid from English Nature.

This text taken from the notice erected on the Marsh at Shore Road.