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Wasowski, Sally and Andy
Ammophila breviligulata Fern.
American Beach Grass, American beachgrass
Poaceae (Grass Family)
USDA Symbol: ambr
USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.
A tall, erect, stiff perennial grass arising from long subsurface rhizomes. A leaf cluster surrounds an elongated flowering spike, unlike other beach grasses.
American Beach Grass, the most common dune plant along much of the Atlantic Coast, is important as a dune stabilizer, for it can withstand burial within a shifting dune by sending up vertical rhizomes that produce new emerging stems. This plant’s rhizome mat is both horizontal and vertical, and its roots over 20’ deep beneath the sand, thus serving to knit a dune together. One of the first plants to appear where sand dunes are forming on a shoreline. As sand builds up around the new grass, the stems grow higher. Old stems become roots which can eventually extend 3-4 m below the top of a sand dune. Can be found on the Atlantic coast and the lower Great Lakes.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Grass/Grass-like
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Fruit Type: Caryopsis
Leaf: Green
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: YellowBloom Time: Jul , Aug , Sep
Distribution
USA: CA , CT , DE , IL , IN , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OR , PA , RI , SC , VA , VT , WICanada: NB , NL , NS , ON , PE
Native Distribution: Newfoundland to North Carolina.
Native Habitat: Back beaches and sand dunes.
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N), SPM(N)
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Sandy
Benefit
Attracts: BirdsMr. Smarty Plants says
When to plant grasses on Long Island, NY
December 06, 2009
Dear Mr. Smarty Plants;
Are there any grass seeds that I can plant NOW, early December, on Long Island, NY? The planting environment is on and near a sandy bluff on a bayshore, where it can be windy ...
view the full question and answer
Native plants of dune erosion control in Michigan
May 30, 2008
We care for Lake Michigan dune near our home in New Buffalo and would like to provide erosion control with native species that will also enhance the beauty of the dune with long lasting flowers. The ...
view the full question and answer
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:North American Native Plant Society - Etobicoke, ON
From the Archive
Wildflower Newsletter 1991 VOL. 8, NO.6 - Wildflower Seeds and Germination, Special Intern Appeal Enjoys Great Success, Di...Wildflower Newsletter 1992 VOL. 9, NO.3 - Water and Landscaping with Native Plants, Research Update, Research Director's R...
Recommended Species Lists
Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.
View Recommended Species pageAdditional resources
USDA: Find Ammophila breviligulata in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Ammophila breviligulata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Ammophila breviligulata
Metadata
Record Modified: 2007-12-23Research By: TWC Staff
