Marram grass, European Beach Grass
Ammophila arenaria

Family: Poaceae

What it is like

A grass. It is a perennial plant 1.2 m high. It grows in clumps. It has extensive creeping and branching rhizomes. The leaves are tightly rolled inwards. They form straw like tubes. They are 60 cm long. The open leaf has hairy veins along it on the upper surface. Where the leaf sheath and blade join there is a membrane 3 cm long clasping the stem. It is yellowish-green. The flowers are in spike like clusters. They are cylindrical. These are 27 cm long and on a rigid stem. The spikelets contain male and female flower parts.

There are 2 Ammophila species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate and Mediterranean plant. It grows naturally on sand dunes by the coast in Britain. It requires a sunny position in a well drained soil. It can tolerate seaside conditions. It is damaged by frost. Tasmanian Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Britain, Central Asia, Europe, Falklands, France, Greece, Italy, Kazakhstan, Mediterranean (country/location of origin), New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Portugal, South Africa, Southern Africa, Spain, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye

How it is used for food

The root is recorded as eaten.

Edible parts

Root

How it is grown

It can be grown by seed or by division of the plant.

Its other names

Local names

Beach Grass, Bent-Grass

Synonyms

Ammophila arundinacea (Host.); Psamma arenaria (L.) Roem. & Schult.;