PLANTS ON THE DUNES
Plants add embellishment to the earth. For thousands of years people
have valued them for their elegance and their usefulness. They may rate
no more than a passing glance in fields and woods, but at the beach they
stand out boldly, for here they seem almost out of place.
We have already become acquainted with some strange beach-dwelling
plants; now let us examine more closely a few of the most common
species.
MUSHROOMS ON THE DUNES
[Illustration: Earth Star]
Earth Star
(_Geaster hygrometricus_)
Star-shaped fleshy skin at base
Main, central body is round
The flower-like shape of this common mushroom always amazes its
discoverer. The basal star is actually a protective coat that covers the
ball during dry spells. Its scientific name, _Geaster_, means “earth
star.” _Hygrometricus_ means “water-measuring,” and refers to the
opening and closing of the star.
GRASS ON THE DUNES
[Illustration: Beach Grass]
Beach Grass
(_Ammophila breviligulata_)
Typical grass shape
Sharp, stiff tip to blade
Beach Grass is the most common xerophyte here. It forms dense mats
everywhere, and once it gains footing, spreads at a remarkable rate.
When windy weather bends the blade it sometimes scribes circles in the
sand. If these are deeper on one side or incomplete, they help determine
the direction of the prevailing wind. Beach Grass can be extremely
uncomfortable to bare legs—so beware!
FLOWERS OF THE SEASHORE
Because of the great variety of leaf shapes and sizes, it is usually
desirable to have the flower for conclusive identification of seashore
plants. As an aid, the following species are listed by color.
_White Flowers_
[Illustration: Blunt-leaved Sandwort]
Blunt-leaved Sandwort
(_Arenaria lateriflora_)
Very thin stem and leaves
Flowers ¼″ wide
This very attractive flower is seldom found at any distance from water’s
edge. Usually it grows in the moist sand of fresh-water pools, just
above water level. On close examination you will find the leaves quite
hairy, almost downy. The flowers are mounted at the tips of long stalks.
They appear early in the spring, about May, and blooming is over by
June.
[Illustration: Sea Milkwort]
Sea Milkwort
(_Glaux maritima_)
Flowers are very small, at base of leaf
Thick central stalk
Leaves small, fleshy, and crowded
This is one of the most common beach plants, and is seldom found away
from salty soil. It grows in the salt marshes and on the beach, starting
its flowering in June and continuing throughout the summer.
_Red or Purple Flowers_
[Illustration: Beach Pea]
Beach Pea
(_Lathyrus japonicus_)
Flowers are in clusters
Branches end in twining tendrils
Leaflets small, toothless, and numerous
Anyone who has seen a garden pea will recognize the Beach Pea, which is
similar to but smaller than its cousin. The purple flowers are seen from
May throughout the summer, and the peas are found in late summer. These
peas are edible, though not particularly delicious. You will notice that
Beach Pea stems are angular in cross section—a further clue to
identification.
[Illustration: Beach Pinweed]
Beach Pinweed
(_Lechea maritima_)
Fruit very tiny, berry-like
Leaves tiny and narrow
Pinweed is a plant of sandy soils. Often it is found growing alone on a
patch of barren sand. It flowers throughout July and August. Its stem is
so very woody and tough that it may easily be mistaken for a tiny,
stunted tree.
[Illustration: Sea Lavender]
Sea Lavender
(_Limonium nashii_)
Large leaves, grow only from base of plant
Flowers numerous, small, on long stalks
The Sea Lavender goes by a great variety of names: “Beach Heather” and
“Marsh Rosemary” are the most common. It is not a true dune dweller, for
it is more often found in marshy spots; but it is a typical seaside
plant. Its flowers are delicately fragrant. Amazingly enough, you may
find Sea Lavender completely submerged in salt water during periods of
high tide.
_Yellow Flowers_
[Illustration: Woolly Hudsonia]
Woolly Hudsonia
(_Hudsonia tomentosa_)
Tiny scale-like leaves
Very woolly, hairy
Almost mosslike appearance
The Hudsonia is sometimes called a “False Heather” and surely reminds
one of the moors. It is found in dense mats on the dunes, and when in
bloom covers the sand with a bright yellow carpet. The flowers are borne
in May and June and open only in sunlight. Any attempt to uproot the
plant will merely break it off at the base, for the roots are extremely
long and spread over many square yards.
[Illustration: Dusty Miller]
Dusty Miller
(_Artemisia stelleriana_)
Leaves hairy, white, and velvety to the touch
Leaf with many fingerlike lobes
You don’t need to see its flowers to identify Dusty Miller. Its heavy
“wool” coat makes identification easy by feel alone. The flowers form
dense clusters during July and August.
[Illustration: Seaside Goldenrod]
Seaside Goldenrod
(_Solidago sempervirens_)
Tall plant with large leaves
Heads crowded together on drooping stem
Individual heads bushy
Everyone is familiar with Goldenrod, but few realize that there are more
than a hundred species, some of them very specific as to where they
live. The Seaside Goldenrod is the only common species found on beaches
or in marshes with salty soil.
_Green or Brown Flowers_
[Illustration: Beach Clotbur]
Beach Clotbur
(_Xanthium echinatum_)
Large, ragged leaves
Covered with short, rough hairs
Heads are burrlike
The heads of this weedy plant, like those of the Burdock, are covered
with curved spines easily attaching to the fur or clothing of
passers-by. The burrs come late in the summer, during August or
September.
[Illustration: Glasswort]
Glasswort
(_Salicornia europaea_)
Plant is without leaves
Fleshy, jointed stems
Glasswort, a plant of the salt marsh, requires quantities of salt water.
It is easily identified by its leafless stem, which looks like a string
of sausages. In autumn these succulent stems turn a bright red, adding
an attractive flash of color to the dying plants around them. Glasswort
stems take in great quantities of salt, which you will taste if you chew
one.
SHRUBS AND TREES ON THE DUNES
[Illustration: Sketch of tree-topped dune.]
The shrubs and trees found on the dunes are those that grow well in
sunlight and can subsist on a small amount of water.
_Shrubs of the Dunes_
[Illustration: Bayberry]
Bayberry
(_Myrica pensylvanica_)
Crush a leaf; note the sweet aromatic odor
Small, white, waxy berry in fall
No doubt the Bayberry is familiar to you. Wax from its berries has long
been used to make candles, and you may wish to take some berries home to
try your hand at this. Boiling them will cause the wax to float on the
water. Dip a piece of string (wick) to collect it.
Sweet Gale (_Myrica gale_) very closely resembles Bayberry but has tiny
pine-cone-like fruits instead of white berries. It is very common in the
swampy areas on the beach.
[Illustration: Beach Plum]
Beach Plum
(_Prunus maritima_)
Leaf with many small, sharp-pointed teeth
White flowers or purple fruit
This “typical” sea-beach shrub is well known. Its fruit has long been
used for “Beach Plum preserve,” a New England favorite. The plums may be
collected in late summer. Beach Plum is reasonably common on the back
side of Crane’s Beach, high on the dunes. It is often twisted and
gnarled from exposure to the winds.
[Illustration: Poison Ivy]
Poison Ivy
(_Rhus radicans_)
Three shiny leaflets
Small, white, waxy berries
Generally found twisting around another plant
One must admire Poison Ivy. It apparently can live anywhere and survive
anything. Beware—for it occurs in patches on the beach. It is very
poisonous to the touch, and the best course is to wash thoroughly with a
strong soap if you come into contact with it. Some of the worst cases of
ivy poisoning may originate at the beach just because people don’t
expect to find it here.
_Trees of the Dunes_
[Illustration: Black Cherry]
Black Cherry
(_Prunus serotina_)
Leaves finely toothed
Twigs bitter when chewed
Black cherries in hanging clusters
Cherries are usually considered lovers of rich soils, but this member of
the family is quite common on the dunes. It is always contorted here,
and frequently diseased, but still it survives. Generally it is found
with large swellings on the branches caused by the black cherry knot
fungus, since it is highly susceptible to this infection. The cherries
are edible, and you may or may not enjoy them. Try one and see.
[Illustration: Quaking Aspen]
Quaking Aspen
(_Populus tremuloides_)
Broad, heart-shaped leaves
Stem of leaf is flat; leaf shakes easily
Smooth gray or yellow-green bark
The Aspen thrives in sunlight and dry soil. It grows and dies quickly.
It is called a “Quaking” Aspen because its flattened leaf stems allow
its leaves to shake even in the gentlest breeze. It is often called a
Poplar tree, or just “Popple.”
[Illustration: Pitch Pine]
Pitch Pine
(_Pinus rigida_)
Evergreen; with needles
Needles grouped in bunches of three
Pine cones under 3″ in length
This picturesque pine grows well in sterile soil. It is small, gnarled,
contorted, and of little commercial value. It serves a twofold purpose
here—anchoring the soil and supplying seeds for a great variety of birds
and animals.
AIDS FOR YOUR INVESTIGATION
These are the most common plants of the dunes and beach. Any careful
search will disclose many others not described. You will have to consult
one of the reference books listed below for their identification.
Ethel Hinckley Hausman, _Beginner’s Guide to Wild Flowers_. New York:
Putnam’s, 1955. $3.50
F. Schuyler Mathews, _Field Book of American Wild Flowers_. Completely
revised and enlarged by Norman Taylor. New York: Putnam’s,
1955. $5.00
George A. Petrides, _A Field Guide to Trees and Shrubs_. Boston:
Houghton Mifflin, 1958. $3.95
Herbert S. Zim and A. C. Martin, _Trees: A Guide to Familiar American
Trees_. Rev. ed. New York: Golden Press, 1956. Cloth $2.50,
paper $1.00
SOME OTHER FLOWERS OF CASTLE NECK
To aid you further in your investigation, we attach a list of other
plants that may be found occasionally at the beach or in the swamps.
_Flower Color_ _Name_ _Habitat_
White Sundew Swamps
Meadowsweet (shrub) Swamps
Canada Mayflower Woods
Garlic Mustard Woods
Wild Sarsaparilla Woods
Indian Pipe Woods
Wintergreen Woods
Starflower Woods
Dodder Woods
Bedstraw Woods
Pokeweed Fields
Chickweed Fields
Yellow Sweet Flag Swamps
Jewelweed Swamps
St.-John’s-wort Swamps
Yellow Loosestrife Swamps
Silvery Cinquefoil Woods
Wood Sorrel Woods
Mustards (several) Fields
Leafy Spurge Fields
Cyprus Spurge Fields
Evening Primrose Fields
Common Mullein Fields
Butter-and-Eggs Fields
Reddish Seaside Knotwood Sand
Steeplebush (shrub) Swamp
Sheep Sorrel Fields
Soapwort Fields
Coast Blite Marsh
Roses (several) Various
Purple Purple Loosestrife Swamps
American Cranberry Swamps
Common Milkweed Fields
Canada Thistle Fields
Seaside Gerardia Marshes
Blue Blue Flag Swamps
Violets (several) Swamps
Forget-me-not Swamps
Skullcap Swamps
Bittersweet Nightshade Swamps
Monkey Flower Swamps
Asters (many species) Woods
Bluets Fields
Blue Curls Fields
Brown or Green Common Cat-tail Swamps
Narrow-leaved Cat-tail Swamps
Curled Dock Fields
Halberd-leaved Orache Marshes
Sea Blite Marshes