Sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense): Not a Grass, But a Sedge

Sawgrass is a sedge, not a true grass. It belongs to the family Cyperaceae (genus Cladium, primarily Cladium jamaicense). Its name comes from the sharp, saw-toothed margins along its long, V-shaped leaves (graminoid form).

It spreads aggressively via underground rhizomes, forming dense stands. It's iconic in the Florida Everglades, where it thrives in nutrient-poor, seasonally flooded conditions—withstanding heat, fire, and drought.

In your East Texas location (Kountze, near Houston), sawgrass could grow in wet, low-lying areas, but it's more typical of the Gulf Coast marshes. If you're looking to identify a plant on your property, check for the distinctive serrated leaf edges and triangular stem cross-section.