Grass That Grows In Sand Dunes
Dune grasses or dunegrasses are scraggly clumps of grass that grow along sandy beaches riverbanks and lake shores.
Grass that grows in sand dunes. Page 2 of 2. It is a dune building grass that builds the first line of sand dunes along the coast. Containing small black rice seeds ricegrass is an important food source for ord s kangaroo rats. It was brought to california in the 1800s and planted to provide stability to shifting sand dunes so that the newly built railroad tracks would not become covered with sand.
Choose a variety of grass that does well on this sandy base. The beach grass quickly spread and is now found along the northern coast of california and southern coast of oregon. Nps great sand dunes npp. The wavy green blades form a visual and practical.
American dune grass leymus mollis the most common native grass for sand along the california coast flourishes in all counties from del norte south to santa barbara county. The usefulness was recognized in the late 18th century. Backdune common name scientific name category canada wild rye elymus canadensis grass flowering spurge euphorbia corollata herb seaside spurge euphorbia polygonifolia herb plains puccoon or hairy puccoon lithospermum caroliniense herb horse mint or dotted mint monarda punctata herb. What grass grows best in sand.
European beach grass is not native to america. Beachgrass thrives under conditions of shifting sand sand burial and high winds. List of common native plants in michigan sand dunes continued. That challenge is especially tough if you re dealing with sandy soil which drains too easily and does not hold moisture and nutrients grass needs to thrive.
On the north sea coast of jutland denmark marram grass was traditionally much used for fuel thatch cattle fodder after frost etc. Zoysia grass seed is great for sand soil and yards near the beach because it develops deep roots that help it absorb nutrients and water in fast draining soil types. Indian ricegrass left and blowout grass are the most common grasses that grow on the dunefield itself.