American dune grass

Natural history

Established coastal sand dunes guard the coast against storm waves that could flood the land beyond the dunes. Conditions here are harsh for plants. Few nutrients, almost no water, high salinity, extreme temperature changes and blowing sand characterize dune habitats. But dune grass's special adaptations make survival possible—its thick, shiny leaves prevent loss of water and also reflect drying sunlight.

The first colonizers of newly formed sand dunes must grow and establish themselves before the sand shifts beneath them. American dune grass is one of these important pioneer plants. It has long, underground stems (rhizomes) that send shoots upward and roots downward. These rhizomes anchor American dune grass and the surrounding shifting sand.

Conservation

Beaches and dunes are extremely susceptible to human impacts. Housing and road construction, off-road vehicles and other recreational activities often degrade and destroy this coastal habitat.

Marram dune grass, a European native introduced into North America to stabilize dunes, is aggressive and has been crowding out our native L. mollis.

You can help preserve this important plant by staying on trails and off dunes while on the beach. Using native plants in your garden to prevent the spread of invasive species is another great way to help.

Cool facts

• Native people wove dried brown leaves of dune grass into mats, baskets, tote sacks and ropes. They used the tough, sharply pointed leaves as “needles and thread” for sewing.
• Dune grass has a symbiotic relationship with underground fungi. The fungi decompose organic material, which supplies nutrients and water to dune grass. The dune grass, in turn, supplies food (carbohydrates) for the fungi.
• This grass grows from spreading. Underground stems called rhizomes help keep it from being buried by wind-blown sand.
• While one common name is American dune grass, this plant is native to Asia where it occurs in Japan, China, Korea and Russia in addition to its native range in North America.