155 



Fig. 149. AMMOPHILA ARENARIA (L.) Link, Hort. Berol. 1 : 105. 1827. 

 (Arundo arenaria Linn. ."^p. PI. 82. 1753; Ammophila anmdinacea Host.) 

 BEACH-GRASS, MARRAM-GRASS.— A coarse erect perennial, with creeping 

 rootstocks, rigid, culms 6-12 dm. (2°-4°) high, long leaves, and narrow, densely 

 flowered, spike-like terminal panicles 12-30 cm. (5'-12') long. Spikelets 10-12 

 mm. (5"-6") long, with compressed and nearly equal, acute empty glumes, 

 (a), the flowering glume (b) with a tuft of hairs at its base.— Sandy coasts of 

 the Atlantic from New Brunswick .south to Virginia, and shores of the Great 

 Lakes; also in California. (Europe.) July-October. 



This species is one of the most valuable grasses adapted to binding the drift- 

 ing sands of our coasts, and is extensively cultivated for this purpose in this as 

 well as in other countries. It has also been used for the manufacture of coarse 

 paper, and it makes an excellent and durable thatch. It is of no value as 

 fodder. 



