  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
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 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 SEASHOREBecause 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
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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, 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 DUNESSketch 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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.”
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 INVESTIGATIONThese 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.
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| 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 | |
