Slough Grass vs Marsh Cinquefoil - TreeTime.ca

Slough Grass vs Marsh Cinquefoil

Beckmannia syzigachne

Comarum palustre

CUSTOM GROW

CUSTOM GROW

Slough Grass
Marsh Cinquefoil

Slough Grass is a hardy grass that will happily grow in any wet soil. It is usually found near water and is common haymaking material or forage.

Slough Grass is also useful for erosion control and land reclamation.

Marsh Cinquefoil is a native perennial wetland plant with striking reddish-purple, star-shaped flowers. They bloom in early to mid-summer, providing nectar for bees, flies, and other pollinators. Beyond its summer blooms, the foliage turns red in autumn, adding seasonal interest to wetland landscapes.

Common in wetlands, pond margins, and wet meadows, Marsh Cinquefoil spreads by rhizomes to form colonies or patches that contribute to shoreline stabilization. It thrives in nutrient-poor, saturated soils where many other plants struggle, making it valuable in challenging wetland conditions. With its ecological function and ornamental appeal, it is well-suited for wetland plantings, ecological restoration, and naturalized projects.

Slough Grass Quick Facts

Marsh Cinquefoil Quick Facts

Zone: 1a
Zone: 1b
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Height: 0.5 m (1.5 ft)
Spread: 0.5 m (1.5 ft)
Spread: 0.3 m (1.0 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: wet
Moisture: wet
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Growth form: ascending to upright
Spreading: seeds - medium, rhizomes - medium
Suckering: none


Foliage: thin, tubular
Flowers: yellowish, green
Flowers: dark red/maroon, star-shaped
Bloom time: summer
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU, PE
Other Names: sloughgrass, western slough grass
Other Names: marsh five fingers, purple cinquefoil, purple marshlocks