Leymus mollis

Common Names

American Dune Grass, Sea Lyme Grass, Strand Grass, Dunegrass, American Lyme Grass, American Dune Wild-Rye, Strand Wheat

Summary

American dunegrass is a rhizomatous perennial native to coastal dunes of Asia and North America, not cespitose and spreading via creeping rhizomes to form large colonies. It has tall erect culms 12–170 cm high with bluish-green leaves that exceed the spikes; dense inflorescences are spikes 5–34 cm long bearing spikelets with 3–6 florets.

Cultivation notes: prefers full sun and sandy, well-drained soils; tolerates salt spray and drought; wind-pollinated; spreads vigorously via rhizomes, so containment may be necessary in gardens; propagates by seed or division; hardy in zones 7–10; commonly used for erosion control and dune stabilization in coastal restoration and landscape rehabilitation.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

1.5-5 feet

Spread

10 ft

Hardiness Zones

Zones 7-10

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun; tolerates partial shade.

Soil Type

Sandy, well-drained soil

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil

Bloom Color

Bluish-green to wheat color

Bloom Time

Summer

Foliage Color

Glaucous (bluish-green)

Fall Foliage Color

Bluish-Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Semi-deciduous

Growth Rate

Rapid spreading; growth accelerates with repeated burial by sand.

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts wildlife, wind-pollinated