What does Marram grass look like?
The dense, grey-green tufts of Marram grass are a familiar feature of our coastal sand dunes, its spiky leaves featuring in many games during long summer picnics at the beach. Well-adapted to a harsh life at the coast, its glossy, rolled-up leaves protect it from drying out.; it flowers in July and August.
How has Marram grass adapted?
Marram is adapted to grow upwards and out of the top of the dune. In addition, marram and lyme grass have leaves that can curl into a cylinder in order to limit the loss of water in the constant wind. The lower surface of the leaf, where stomata take in carbon dioxide, also loses a lot of water.
Why is Marram grass curled?
Conserving water The waxy leaves are rolled inwards to prevent evaporation from the surface, while tiny hairs alongside the inside minimise air flow that could carry water away.
What is a Marram grass in geography?
marram grass in British English (ˈmærəm ) noun. any of several grasses of the genus Ammophila, esp A. arenaria, that grow on sandy shores and can withstand drying: often planted to stabilize sand dunes. Collins English Dictionary.
Where on a sand dune do you find Marram grass?
These grasses are found almost exclusively on the first line of coastal sand dunes. Their extensive systems of creeping underground stems or rhizomes allow them to thrive under conditions of shifting sands and high winds, and to help stabilize and prevent coastal erosion.
How does Marram grass grow on dunes?
Marram grass develops deep and extensive rhizomes (roots) and produces dense clumps of grass, often up to a metre or so high, which dominate plant communities and entrap sand. It is more vigorous where sands are mobile, covering the plant and stimulating growth. Similarly burning promotes healthy and dense growth.
How are marram grass adapted for photosynthesis?
Like other xerophytes, marram grass is well adapted to its surroundings in order to thrive in an otherwise harsh environment. Marram grass has a rolled leaf that creates a localized environment of water vapour concentration within the leaf, and helps to prevent water loss.
What does marram grass need?
Marram grass has an ability to adapt dry sand well. Its leaves become rolled and tight when moisture levels are low.
Why does marram grass need Xerophytic adaptations?
Where on a sand dune do you find marram grass?
How is marram grass formed?
Ammophila arenaria is a species of flowering plant in the grass family Poaceae. It is known by the common names marram grass and European beachgrass. The rhizomes tolerate submersion in sea water and can break off and float in the currents to establish the grass at new sites. …
How does marram grass grow on dunes?