European dune grass (Leymus arenarius, Flora 31: 118 (1848))

Family: Poaceae

Author: (L.) Hochst.

Bibliography: Flora 31: 118 (1848)

Year: 1848

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Leymus

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe

Description

European dune grass, scientifically known as Leymus arenarius, is a resilient and adaptable grass species commonly found in the coastal regions of Europe. First cataloged in Flora 31 in 1848 by (L.) Hochst., this grass plays a vital ecological role, especially in stabilizing sand dunes and providing habitats for various forms of wildlife.

This hardy perennial belongs to the Poaceae family, thriving in sandy soils where other plants struggle to survive. Its robust root system not only helps in binding the sand, preventing erosion, but also aids in the accumulation of organic matter, fostering a unique ecosystem in these often harsh environments.

European dune grass is characterized by its tall, stiff, blue-green blades which can grow up to a meter in height. These blades are uniquely adapted to withstand the abrasive effects of wind-borne sand. The plant’s flowers are typically arranged in dense, spike-like inflorescences, contributing to its distinct appearance.

Observations from across Europe indicate that Leymus arenarius is integral to the health of coastal landscapes. It supports diverse biological communities by creating microhabitats and contributing to the stabilization of dune systems. Furthermore, due to its resilience, it is often used in restoration projects to combat coastal erosion and reclaim degraded land.

In summary, Leymus arenarius is not just a distinctive feature of the European coastline but also a critical component of these ecosystems. Its ability to thrive in challenging conditions and provide essential ecological functions underscores its importance in both natural habitats and conservation efforts.

Common Names

Dan: almindelig marehalm, marehalm
Deu: dünen-strandroggen, gemeiner strandroggen, sandhafer, strandgerste, strandhafer, strandroggen, blauer helm
Eng: european dune grass, sand ryegrass, beach wild rye, lyme grass, lyme-grass, rancheria grass, sea lyme grass, european lymegrass, european dunegrass, lymegrass
Por: aveia-brava
Fra: elyme des sables, élyme des sables, élyme des sables d’europe, grand oyat, seigle de mer
Hun: homoki hajperje
Ces: je
Swe: rantavehnä, strandråg
Fin: rantavehnä
Nor: rug-græs, sand-røjr, strand-hvede, strand-rug, søerug, vippe-græs
Nob: strandrug
Nno: strandrug
Nld: zandhaver
Sme: gáddeguoita
Cym: amdowellt, clymwellt, lymwellt
Gla: taitheán
En: European dune grass, Lyme grass, Rancheria grass, Sea lyme grass, Beach wild rye, Sand ryegrass, Lyme-grass, European lymegrass, European dunegrass, Lymegrass, Sea Lyme-grass
Ca: Elim de sorra
Cs: Je
Da: Almindelig marehalm, Marehalm
Nl: Zandhaver
Fi: Rantavehnä
Fr: Élyme des sables, Élyme des sables d’Europe, Elyme des sables, Grand oyat, Seigle de mer
De: Sandhafer, Strandgerste, Strandhafer, Strandroggen, Blauer Helm, Dünen-Strandroggen, Gemeiner Strandroggen
Hu: Homoki hajperje
It: Orzo
Se: Gáddeguoita
No: Rug-græs, Sand-røjr, Strand-hvede, Strand-rug, Søerug, Vippe-græs
Nb: Strandrug
Nn: Strandrug
Pt: Aveia-brava
Gd: Taitheán
Sv: Strandråg, Rantavehnä
Cy: Amdowellt, Clymwellt, Lymwellt

Synonyms

• Elymus geniculatus (Curtis ex Sm.)
• Hordeum villosum (Moench)
• Hordeum arenarium ((L.) Asch.)
• Elymus arenarius var. megastachys (Andersson)
• Elymus arenarius var. geniculatus ((Curtis ex Sm.) Hartm.)
• Elymus arenarius var. leopolensis (Zapal.)
• Elymus arenarius var. triticoides (Blytt)
• Elymus arenarius var. multiflorus (Hallier)
• Elymus arenarius f. cristatus (Holmb.)
• Triticum arenarium ((L.) F.Herm.)
• Elymus arenarius var. minor (Lange)
• Elymus arenarius var. macrostachyus (Andersson)
• Frumentum arenarium ((L.) E.H.L.Krause)
• Elymus arenarius f. ramosus (Neuman)
• Elymus arenarius var. microstachys (Andersson)
• Elymus arenarius subsp. geniculatus ((Curt. ex Sm.) Andersson)

Distribution

• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Denmark (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Føroyar (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Austria (introduced)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• Chatham Is. (introduced)
• Chile South (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Falkland Is. (introduced)
• Greenland (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Northwest Territorie (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Jul 7, 2021 by vlad (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 3, 2018 by Ray Herz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 12, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Alex Moll (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 12, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Alex Moll (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 27, 2022 by Ronan Le Fournis (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Oct 31, 2022 by Jeff B (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 9, 2018 by EVELYNE FONTAINE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 9, 2018 by EVELYNE FONTAINE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 4, 2021 by Puma Pu (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Françoise CARLE (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Fruit

Taken Jun 15, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 19, 2019 by Guldie Xander (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 10, 2019 by April Turnbow (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 16, 2020 by Безрученко Ульяна (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 29, 2021 by jacksun (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Aug 21, 2021 by Zwicke Alexander (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 11, 2021 by steven55 (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 30, 2021 by Darren Giddins (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 15, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Habit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Soreng, R.J. (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Dec 3, 2019 by Farshid Moghimi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Soreng, R.J. (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jun 16, 2020 by Безрученко Ульяна (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Oct 1, 2021 by Valentin Goupille (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 17, 2019 by Álvaro Gutiérrez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 13, 2020 by Enno Huttenga (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Daniel MATHIEU (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2706368)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:407309-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Leymus arenarius (L.) Hochst.)

Specifications

Growth form: Rhizomatous

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth rate: Rapid

Growth

Ph maximum: 6.5

Ph minimum: 5.7

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 3

Bloom months: [‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’]

Soil nutriments: 6

Soil salinity: 3