SafePlants

Marram Grass (Ammophila species)

Marram grass, also known as beachgrass, bent grass, psamma, or sand reed, refers to several tough, strongly rooted grasses that thrive on exposed sandy shores. They are frequently used for dune stabilization.

Scientific Names and Common Names:

• Scientific Name: Ammophila arenaria, Ammophila breviligulata (genus Ammophila)
• Common Names: Marram Grass, European Marram Grass, American Marram Grass, Bent Grass, Beachgrass, European Beachgrass, American Beachgrass, Cape American Beachgrass, Coastal Beachgrass

Taxonomy and Nomenclature:

• Family: Poaceae (Grass family)
• The text refers to the genus Ammophila.

Distribution and Habitat:

• Ammophila arenaria (European marram grass) is native to the coasts of Europe.
• Ammophila breviligulata (American beachgrass) is native to eastern North America, growing on sand dunes along the Atlantic coast and in the Great Lakes region.
• Frequently found on the first line of dunes and in maritime beach communities above the mean high tide line.

Ecological Role:

• Used extensively for dune stabilization, particularly along the Atlantic seacoast and the Great Lakes.
• European beachgrass (Ammophila arenaria) is considered an invasive species threatening coastal dunes on the west coast of the U.S., changing dune structure by forming high foredunes, unlike the lower mounds created by native species.

Morphological Characteristics:

• European beachgrass (Ammophila arenaria) is a perennial rhizomatous grass with clumped, stiff, and upright stems.
• American beachgrass (Ammophila breviligulata) grows 2-4 feet tall at maturity. It has smooth stems, about 20-40 inches tall. Leaves are smooth and about 1/8th to 3/8th wide, forms a stiff culm about 2-30" tall.

Interactions with Other Organisms:

• The grasses are essential for protecting shorelines by stabilizing sand dunes damaged by coastal erosion.

Further Information:

• Woods Hole Sea Grant &amp Cape Cod Cooperative Extension
• Beach grass, by Charles Wendell Townsend