Chapter 3

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

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

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_

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.

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_

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.

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.

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_

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.

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.

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_

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.

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

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_

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.

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.

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_

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.

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.”

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