Marram grass has long, narrow, pale-green leaves. It grows in dense clumps on sandy beaches and coastal sand dunes. The clumps can be over 3 feet (1 meter) high.
Marram grass is a xerophyte—that is, a plant adapted to life in dry surroundings. Its roots can grow over 20 feet (6 meters) long to reach water deep beneath the surface. It can also curl its leaves to reduce the amount of water evaporating from them.
Marram grass grows from a network of branching underground stems called rhizomes. The rhizomes and long roots anchor the grass to the sand and stabilize sand dunes. The grass acts as a windbreak and windblown sand collects around it. This makes the sand dunes grow bigger and extends the land seaward.
Marram grass is native to Europe and is sometimes called European beach grass. It has been planted in America and Australia to stabilize sand dunes. Its leaves are sometimes used for making baskets, brooms, mats, and thatch.
