Origin
Native to the coastal dunes of Europe and North Africa.

Appearance
Ammophila arenaria is a stout perennial grass that can reach up to 47″ (120 cm) tall, with horizontal and vertical rhizomes. Vertical rhizomes develop, branching from a horizontal rhizome, as sand accumulates around plants.

Foliage
The ligules of A. arenaria are sharp and thin from 0.4-1.2″ (10-30 mm) wide and 5′ (152 cm) long.

Flowers
Dense spike-like panicles develop the second year after germination and mature from May to June. Flowering occurs from May to August.

Fruit
Fruits are a grain.

Ecological Threat
A. arenaria threatens coastal sand dunes in the eastern and western United States. It displaces native dune species and significantly alters the morphology of dune systems where it invades.

https://wiki.bugwood.org/Ammophila_arenaria
http://www.iucngisd.org/gisd/species.php?sc=1518
 

Resources

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• Element Stewardship Abstract - The Nature Conservancy

Selected Images

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Maps

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Invasive Listing Sources

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• California Invasive Plant Council
• Jil M. Swearingen, Survey of invasive plants occurring on National Park Service lands, 2000-2007
• John Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Survey of TNC Preserves, 1995.
• WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States

References

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Common Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.

Scientific Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.