Wikipedia:WikiProject Germany/Portal:Schleswig-Holstein/Article of the month/2010-01



European Beachgrass (German: Gewöhnliche Strandhafer, Latin: Ammophila arenaria) - also known as the European Marram Grass - is a pioneer plant belonging to the family of sweet grasses (Poaceae).

The grass plays a special role along coastlines and on islands in assisting the formation and stability of sand dunes. It is particularly important in helping to create white sand dunes up to 25 metres high. In addition, due to its extensive root network, beachgrass is planted in order to reinforce the edges of sand dunes, as part of coastal conservation measures to protect against erosion; less commonly, it is planted on inland dunes and fields of drifting sand. ... more ...