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Ammophila arenaria - (L.)Link.                
                 
Common Name Marram Grass
Family Poaceae or Gramineae
Synonyms A. arundinacea. Psamma arenaria.
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Sand dunes by the coast[17].
Range W. Europe, including Britain.
Edibility Rating  
Medicinal Rating  
Care
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun

Summary       

Physical Characteristics       
 icon of manicon of flower
Ammophila arenaria is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft).
It is hardy to zone 5. It is in flower from Jul to August, and the seeds ripen from Aug to September. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Wind.


Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.
Ammophila arenaria Marram Grass


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:468_Ammophila_arenaria.jpg
Ammophila arenaria Marram Grass
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Tintazul
   
Habitats       
 Cultivated Beds;
Edible Uses                                         
Edible Parts: Root.
Edible Uses:

Root[74]. No more details, but the root is rather thin and fibrous[K].
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.



None known
Other Uses
Basketry;  Broom;  Fibre;  Paper;  Soil stabilization;  Thatching;  Weaving.

The flowering stems and leaves are used for thatching, in basketry, making brooms etc[61, 66, 100]. The rhizomes are used for making rope and mats[115]. A fibre obtained from the stems is used for making paper[189]. The stems are harvested in the summer, cut into usable pieces and soaked for 24 hours in clear water before cooking for 2 hours with soda ash. Beat the fibres in a ball mill for 1½ hours. The fibres make a tan-brown paper[189]. This plant has an extensive root system and grows naturally in sand dunes along the coast where it is very important for its action of binding the dunes and therefore allowing other plants to grow. It is much planted in sand dunes and other similar habitats for erosion control[200].
Cultivation details                                         
Requires a sunny position in a light well-drained soil. Very tolerant of severe maritime exposure[17]. Tolerates a pH in the range 4.5 to 6.8.
                                                                                 
Propagation                                         
Seed - sow in pots outdoors as soon as it is ripe or sow in situ during March/April. Division in spring or autumn.
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Expert comment                                         
 
      
Author                                         
(L.)Link.
                                                                                 
Botanical References                                         
17200
                                                                                 
Links / References                                         

  [K] Ken Fern Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[17]Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles.
A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
[61]Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.
[66]Freethy. R. From Agar to Zenery.
Very readable, giving details on plant uses based on the authors own experiences.
[74]Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR.
An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers.
[100]Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide.
An excellent and well illustrated pocket guide for those with very large pockets. Also gives some details on plant uses.
[115]Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain.
Written about a hundred years ago, but still a very good guide to the useful plants of Britain.
[189]Bell. L. A. Plant Fibres for Papermaking.
A good practical section on how to make paper on a small scale plus details of about 75 species (quite a few of them tropical) that can be used.
[200]Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

Readers comment                                         
 
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