Page authors: Don Knoke, David Giblin
Ammophila arenaria
European beachgrass
Specimens
Photos

Distribution: Occurring west of the Cascades crest in Washington along the marine coast; western British Columbia to California, also in scattered locations along coast of northeastern North America.

Habitat: Sandy beaches and dunes along the coast.

Flowers: June-August

Origin: Introduced from Europe

Growth Duration: Perennial

Conservation Status: Not of concern

Pollination: Wind

Description:
General:

Culms in tufts up to 11 dm. tall, connected by tough, elongate rhizomes.

Leaves:

Sheaths open, smooth; ligules 10-25 mm. long, puberulent, acute, usually entire; blades involute, smooth, 2-4 mm. broad.

Flowers:

Inflorescence a spike-like panicle 15-30 cm. long and 15-20 mm. broad; glumes pale, 10-14 mm. long, sub-equal; lemma 1-3 mm. shorter than the glumes, the callus bearding 2-3 mm. long; rachilla prolonged beyond the palea as a bristle 1.5 mm. long.

Fruits:

Utricle

Accepted Name:
Ammophila arenaria (L.) Link
Publication: Hort. Berol. [Link] 1: 105. 1827.

Synonyms & Misapplications:
(none provided)
Infraspecies:
Additional Resources:

PNW Herbaria: Specimen records of Ammophila arenaria in the Consortium of Pacific Northwest Herbaria database.

WA Flora Checklist: Ammophila arenaria checklist entry.

OregonFlora: Ammophila arenaria information.

E-Flora BC: Ammophila arenaria atlas page.

CalPhotos: Ammophila arenaria photos.

USDA Plants: Ammophila arenaria information.

16 photographs:
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