Beachgrass  Amnophila breviligulata

American Beachgrass 

(Amnophila breviligulata) 

Beachgrass will be available in late August call Lynda for details.

Is native to the Atlantic Coast and the Great Lakes.  It is more strongly rhizomatous, less sensitive to high temperatures and somewhat longer-lived than European beachgrass.   American beachgrass is a tough, coarse, erect perennial with hard, scaly, creeping rhizomes and dense, spike-like seedheads.  Seed is generally infertile. American beachgrass has proved to be the best plant for initial stabilization of moving sand.  Stems from the plant form a mechanical barrier which slows and then traps moving sand.

Planting:  American beachgrass plantings are established vegetatively with culms (plants).  Enough moisture should be present so when an opening is made with a spade, the sand will not run back into the hole.  If there is too much dry sand on the surface, scrape it away before the planting slot is opened.  A narrow tile spade or planting bar may be used for hand planting.  There have been mixed results in using a machine tree planter on large areas.  When planting, protect the culms from wind and sun so they do not dry out.

A planting depth of 6 to 10 inches is suggested so that the buds at the base of the stem do not dry out nor will plants blow out in a heavy wind.  When planting by hand, firm the soil around the plants with your heel.  Place 1-3 stems or culms into each hole.  On severe sites where quick cover is needed, space culms about 18 x 18 inches.  A minimum of 20,000 culms per acre are needed for this solid planting, more if placing more than one culm per hole.  Beachgrass is available for sale through the Mason-Lake Conservation District or through your local Conservation District. April -June and again August - November weather permitting. Call 231-757-3708 ext 3 or
e-mail Lynda for more information.