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
Culms in tufts up to 11 dm. tall, connected by tough, elongate rhizomes.
Sheaths open, smooth; ligules 10-25 mm. long, puberulent, acute, usually entire; blades involute, smooth, 2-4 mm. broad.
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.
Utricle
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.