Table B-1. Characteristics of American and European beachgrasses . 



Category 



Characteristics 



Growth habit Perennial grasses grow in tufts; base of plant usually 

 buried in sand (Fig. B-l,e). 



Seed head Seed heads nearly cylindrical but slightly thicker in 

 (inflorescence) the middle, tapering at the ends; 4 to 12 inches (10 to 

 30 centimeters) long and 1/2 to 3/4 inch (1.2 to 1.8 

 centimeters) thick; pale yellow in color (Fig. B-1, a). 



Seeds Seeds are pointed upward, closely pressed against a 



(spikelets) central stem; seed 3/8 inch (1 centimeter) long (Fig. 

 B-l,d). 



Stems 

 (culms) 



Leaves 



Stems erect and rigid; base of stem clothed in numer- 

 ous overlapping sheaths; new stems arise from hori- 

 zontal branching rootstock (rhizomes) of parent plant; 

 stems 2 to 4 feet (0.6 to 1.2 meters) high. 



Leaves arise from the stem with greater frequency near 

 the base; leaves have 10 to 12 veins; veins are more 

 distinct on inside (facing stem) ; leaves are rolled 

 (involuted) to a pointed tip and are up to 2 feet (60 

 centimeters) long; ligules (Figs. B-l,b and c) are about 

 1 inch (25 centimeters) long in European beachgrass but 

 only 1/10 inch (2.5 millimeters) long in American beach- 

 grass^ . 



•^The most dependable characteristic for distinguishing between these 

 two species . 



