How do I identify marram grass?

The dense tufts of spiky Marram grass are a distinctive feature of this plant. Its leaves are rolled and it displays densely packed, golden flower spikes.

How deep are marram grass roots?

Marram Grass Factfile Marram roots can grow up to 7cm in 10 days. Marram can survive when buried by 1 metre of sand/year.

How is the marram grass adapted?

Marram is adapted to grow upwards and out of the top of the dune. In addition, marram and lyme grass have leaves that can curl into a cylinder in order to limit the loss of water in the constant wind. The lower surface of the leaf, where stomata take in carbon dioxide, also loses a lot of water.

Is Marram grass native to Australia?

Marram grass, that dry, spindly grass scattered across most Australian coastal sand dunes, isn’t native to Australia. It was introduced to Australia from Europe in the late 1800’s with a very specific purpose: to help stabilise coastal dunes. The reason Marram is used is because it’s very good at what it does.

Where is Marram grass native?

western Europe
Marram Grass is native to western Europe and was first introduced into Victoria, from England, in the 1880s as a means of stabilising sand dunes which had become severely eroded due to heavy clearing of coastal vegetation by European settlers.

How does Marram grass live in dry soil?

Marram grass is a Xerophyte – thriving in arid conditions where most plants would curl up and die. The stomata – the openings through which water vapour moves out of plants, are sunk in pits within the curls so they can hang on to as much H20 as possible.

How does Marram Grass reduce water loss?

Marram grass has a rolled leaf that creates a localized environment of water vapour concentration within the leaf, and helps to prevent water loss. The stomata sit in small pits within the curls of the structure, which make them less likely to open and to lose water.

How does marram grass grow on dunes?

Marram grass develops deep and extensive rhizomes (roots) and produces dense clumps of grass, often up to a metre or so high, which dominate plant communities and entrap sand. It is more vigorous where sands are mobile, covering the plant and stimulating growth.

Why is marram grass planted on sand dunes?

As well as being a recognised feature of sand dunes, marram grass plays a vital role in dune habitats as it helps to reinforce the structural integrity of the dune. Environmental groups, including Clean Coasts, carry out marram grass planting in sand dune habitats to help prevent coastal erosion.

What is Marram grass used for?

Uses. The roots of marram grass are edible, although rather thin and fibrous. The flowering stems and leaves are used for thatching, basketry and making brooms. Fiber from the stem is used for making paper, and the rhizomes are used for making rope and mats.

Why is marram grass bad?

The development of a remarkable ability to survive and thrive in unstable sand has given marram grass a competitive advantage over most of the other plants that are able to grow in this particular habitat. For this reason, it is often regarded as an aggressive plant, even a weed.

What is marram grass?

Marram grass was once harvested and weaved into mats for barn roofs, nets for fishing and even shoes. Traditionally, each family had its own sand dune, but the whole village would often be involved in collecting the grass. Today, the importance of Marram Grass in stabilising these fragile habitats has curbed its harvesting.

How is marram adapted to the sea?

Marram grass – that grey, green prickly grass that catches your legs when climbing up sand dunes, is fantastically adapted to life by the sea. Metres-long roots reach down in search of moisture, while creeping stems called rhizomes extend widthways below the surface, sending down even more ladder-like rooting structures along their length.

When is the best time to plant marram grass?

Marram grass may be planted at any time of year, but preferably September to April with March being the most favourable planting month, as there are less environmental impacts to contend with such as storms, frost and sea swells. AnTaisce’s!CleanCoasts!Programme!–!APractical!Guide!toMarram!Grass!Planting! 8! !

Why are my marram leaves rolling up?

Marram Grass Rolled Leaves Large thin walled epidermal cells, called hinge cells, at the base of the groove become plasmolysed as a result of excessive water loss through transpiration. This causes the leaves to roll, with the upper surface facing inwards. This reduces the leaf area exposed to the air and so reduces the transpiration rate.