Sea wheatgrass (Thinopyrum junceum, Taxon 29: 351 (1980))

Family: Poaceae

Author: (L.) Á.Löve

Bibliography: Taxon 29: 351 (1980)

Year: 1980

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Thinopyrum

Vegetable: False

Observations: Macaronesia, Medit. to Caucasus

Description

Sea wheatgrass, scientifically known as Thinopyrum junceum, is a robust and resilient perennial grass belonging to the Poaceae family. It garnered taxonomic classification in the year 1980, noted in the scholarly literature by (L.) Á.Löve in the volume of Taxon 29, specifically on page 351.

Renowned for its adaptability, Sea wheatgrass thrives across a diverse range of environments spanning from Macaronesia to the Mediterranean region, and extending as far as the Caucasus. This geographical spread illustrates its impressive ecological versatility, enabling it to flourish in a variety of climates and soil types.

Typically found in coastal habitats, Sea wheatgrass plays a crucial role in stabilizing sand dunes and preventing soil erosion. Its dense root network binds the sandy soil, making it an invaluable species for maintaining coastal integrity. Moreover, its ability to withstand saline conditions and poor nutrient soils speaks to its hardiness.

Sea wheatgrass not only contributes to environmental stability but also offers potential benefits in agriculture and land reclamation projects. Its sturdy nature and resistance to harsh conditions make it a candidate for research into sustainable agricultural practices, especially in regions prone to salinity and soil degradation.

In summary, Thinopyrum junceum, or Sea wheatgrass, exemplifies a plant species of significant ecological importance and potential agricultural value, celebrated for its resilience and ability to support and sustain coastal ecosystems.

Common Names

En: Sea Wheatgrass, Russian Wheatgrass, Russian Wild Rye, Sand Couch-grass, Sand couch
Hr: Bodljikava Pirika
Nl: Biestarwegras
Et: Rand-orashein
Fi: Merivehnä, Strandkvickrot
Fr: Chiendent des Sables
De: Bisenquecke, Strandquecke, Strandweizen
Gd: Broimfhéar gainimh
Es: Grama de las Playas
Deu: bisenquecke, strandquecke, strandweizen
Eng: russian wheatgrass, sand couch, sea wheatgrass
Fra: chiendent des sables
Spa: grama de las playas

Synonyms

• Festuca juncea ((L.) Moench)
• Elymus farctus ((Viv.) Runemark ex Melderis)
• Elymus farctus var. sartorii ((Boiss. & Heldr.) Melderis)
• Agropyron junceum var. reflexum (Sennen & Maire)
• Elymus farctus var. striatulus ((Runemark) Melderis)
• Agropyron farctum (Boiss.)
• Elymus multinodus (Gould)
• Elytrigia juncea var. sartorii ((Boiss. & Heldr.) Täckh.)
• Elytrigia farcta ((Viv.) Holub)
• Triticum litoreum (Brot.)
• Bromus truncatus (Scop.)
• Agropyron junceum ((L.) P.Beauv.)
• Elytrigia sartorii ((Boiss. & Heldr.) Holub)
• Elytrigia juncea ((L.) Nevski)
• Frumentum junceum ((L.) E.H.L.Krause)
• Elytrigia striatula ((Runemark) Holub)
• Agropyron junceum var. crassum (Gray)
• Agropyron junceum var. affine (Rchb.)
• Braconotia juncea ((L.) Godr.)
• Agropyron junceum subsp. mediterraneum (Simonet)
• Agropyron junceum var. glabrum (Maire)
• Agropyron junceum var. velutinum (H.Lindb.)
• Agropyron repens subsp. junceum ((L.) Bonnier & Layens)
• Triticum junceum pungens (Pers.)
• Agropyron lepturoides (Lojac.)
• Elymus striatulus (Runemark)
• Triticum junceum (L.)
• Elytrigia juncea subsp. mediterranea ((Simonet) Hyl.)
• Thinopyrum junceum subsp. mediterraneum ((Simonet) Á.Löve)
• Agropyron junceum var. mediterraneum ((Simonet) Maire & Weiller)
• Agropyron junceum var. parvispicum (Costa)
• Lolium subulatum (Degen ex Lojac.)
• Agropyron junceum var. foliosum (Gray)
• Triticum junceum subsp. sartorii ((Boiss. & Heldr.) Nyman)
• Elytrigia mediterranea ((Simonet) Prokudin)
• Agropyron junceum var. sartorii (Boiss. & Heldr.)
• Triticum farctum (Viv.)
• Agropyron junceum f. majus (Hausskn.)
• Agropyron junceum f. humile (Hausskn.)
• Agropyron sartorii ((Boiss. & Heldr.) Grecescu)
• Agropyron junceum var. confertum (Hausskn.)
• Thinopyrum runemarkii (Á.Löve)
• Thinopyrum sartorii ((Boiss. & Heldr.) Á.Löve)
• Lolium lepturoides (Lojac.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Egypt (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Selvagens (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Sinai (native)
• Spain (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• California (introduced)
• Falkland Is. (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)

Additional Images

© 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.

Leaf

Taken Mar 10, 2022 by Abdul Ghaffar (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 27, 2021 by Georgios Leventis (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 7, 2021 by Diego Alex (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 25, 2021 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 25, 2021 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 31, 2012 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 10, 2022 by Abdul Ghaffar (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 25, 2021 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 25, 2021 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 31, 2012 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Mar 10, 2022 by Abdul Ghaffar (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Mar 10, 2022 by Abdul Ghaffar (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jun 27, 2021 by Georgios Leventis (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1166962-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Elymus farctus (Viv.) Runemark ex Melderis)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5289901)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/8395719)

Specifications

Growth