Great Bay Reserve, New Hampshire

Flora (Plant Life)

Salt marshes in Great Bay are dominated by the Spartina alterniflora (smooth cordgrass) and S. patens (salt meadow hay). A variety of other plant species are found in Great Bay marshes. Eelgrass is distributed throughout the Great Bay Estuary. Several extensive Zostera beds occur within Great Bay. Both annual and perennial salt marsh asters are found in the reserve's brackish salt marsh areas. The region is characterized as a transition zone between the deciduous forest to the south and the coniferous forest to the north. Common tree species within the area include white pine, red oak, red pine, hemlock, red maple, quaking aspen and shagbark hickory. Uncommon southern species include black gum tree and sweet pepper bush.

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