Beach Grass Species

Beachgrass tolerates wind and maritime conditions.

Beachgrass—Ammophila—belongs to the Poaceae family. This clumping perennial grows through deep rhizomes, or underground stems, that creep under the sand and develop into more new plants. beachgrass prefers full sun and light, dry, well-drained sandy soil. Habitat for these xerophytes—organisms that withstand low water conditions—includes back beaches and arid and semi-arid sand dunes.

European Beachgrass Identification

European beach grass—Ammophila arenaria—grows to a mature height of 2 feet. The minimum root depth is 20 inches. The green foliage stands erect and features a coarse texture. This low-growing grass bears yellow flowers and brown seeds. European beach grass grows actively in spring and fall.

Habitat of European Beachgrass

Located in coastal dune systems, European beachgrass grows along the Pacific Coast from California to British Columbia. On the Atlantic Coast, it grows in Pennsylvania and Nova Scotia. European beachgrass prefers soil with a pH of 6.0 to 8.5, or slightly acid to alkaline. With a medium tolerance for drought, this species traps passing sand. Steep dunes develop and form parallel to the shore.

Disadvantages of European Beachgrass

The European beachgrass blocks new sand from extending to interior dunes. Introduced to the Pacific Coast as a measure to control beach sand in the 1930s, it is now designated as invasive along the coast it was intended to protect. According to the California Invasive Plant Council, this densely growing species often out-competes native plants and alters the dune ecosystems.

American Beachgrass Identification

American beachgrass—Ammophila breviligulata fern—grows to a height of 2 to 3 feet. In the mid-Atlantic area, optimum planting of this cool-season grass occurs from October to March. A leaf cluster surrounds the yellow flowering spike that blooms from July to September. The 10-inch seed head matures in late July or August.

Habitat of American Beachgrass

Tolerant of heavy sand deposits, American beachgrass is native to back beaches and sand dunes. Distribution includes the Atlantic seacoast from Maine to North Carolina and the Great Lakes region. During sand dune formation, this species quickly establishes. Habitat can also include inland areas with high sand or salt content.

When sand accumulates around the grass, vertical rhizomes grow higher and develop emerging stems. The old stems extend as roots over 20 feet below the sand dune surface.

Benefits of American Beachgrass

American beachgrass aids in erosion control of very sandy soils in drought conditions. Also known as coastal beachgrass, beach grass and marram grass, this species helps bind and stabilize dunes.

Beachgrass can boost plant succession of additional species that would otherwise have difficulty establishing. It also benefits the area by attracting birds.

American beachgrass can grow in areas of industrial waste and provide vegetation over soils with high salt levels.

Champlain Beachgrass Identification

Native to Lake Champlain and the Great Lakes, Champlain beachgrass—Ammophila breviligulata ssp. Champlainensis (Seymour)—features very narrow, long leaves that extend from a central clump. The flowering stems live in moving sand by the water. According to the New York Natural Heritage Program, the introduced non-native Cape Strain of American beachgrass, as well as beach erosion, human activities and development have made Champlain beachgrass an endangered species.

References

• California Invasive Plant Council: Ammophila arenaria (European beachgrass)
• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Plants Database: Ammophila arenaria
• USDA: American Beachgrass Ammophila breviligulata fern
• The University of Texas at Austin: Ammophila breviligulata fern
• New York Natural Heritage Program: Champlain Beachgrass