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August 17, 1989 - They Come Between Us and the Sea814 The Suffolk Times • August 17, 1989 They Come Between Us and the Sea By Paul Stoutenburah Our beaches, whether in sheltered bays, along our rugged and often stony North Shore or the great sweeping, sandy beaches of the South Shore, all have their characteristic beach plants. Probably the most common is dune grass or beach grass (ammophila bre- viligulata). It dominates the ocean beach and is probably the most important plant the ocean resident can nurture for it's the creator of dunes, our first defense against an ever - intruding sea. I have known this rugged grass in a general way since there were few houses along the barrier beach of our South Shore. In those early days we'd park my old Model -A Ford along the roadside and scramble up over the dunes to what seemed to be an endless, sparkling beach where we would go swimming. In that jaunt there were two ways of making sure you didn't cut your feet on the sharp grass as you made your way over the dunes. One was to walk gently, placing your feet only on pure sand, and the other was to wear sneakers. In that case you didn't have to be concerned where you stepped. Seeing we were usu- ally barefooted we picked our way over the dunes, stepping on that wonderful, hot, white sand. Today we know better, for walking on the dunes can kill and break down the dune grass, thereby giving the blowing sand a chance to do its best to destroy the dune. These blowouts, once started, can eat away a dune, leaving a gap through which the stormy sea might pass. What makes dune grass such a good anchor for the blowing sand is its ability to continue growing even when blowing sand smothers it. Try covering the grass on your front lawn with sand and see what happens. It will die — and so will most other plants. More Beach Plants Later when I became a Ranger naturalist for the National Seashore at Fire Island I started to take note of other Focus on Nature plants that also helped hold these ever - moving sands. Sea rocket, the plant closest to the sea, is one easily recog- nized by its thick, fleshy leaves. It has a very inconspicuous lavender flower that later turns into a flat, fleshy seed. When I used to lead walks along the ocean beach I'd love to pick the fleshy leaves and pass them around for all to sample. It has a wonderful, wild, salty taste and is often picked and used in salads for seasoning. It's not restricted to the ocean beach but can be found along al- most any beach here on our East End. Seaside spurge is one you might pass by if you went looking for it; it lies prostrate on the hot, white sand among the dunes. It has tiny, narrow, opposite leaves that escape the searing winds of the beach by lying so close to the sand. Take time to look for this true beach plant; once discovered, it will always be a friend on your beach walks. By now along all our beaches the sea- side goldenrod should be building up its bulky, leafy green structure, getting ready for fall when it will produce its huge golden heads. It sometimes is found in the forefront of the beach but prefers a bit of shelter so enjoys being just out of the real turbulence of the windy beach. Seaside goldenrod has adapted like most beach plants to the ever - blowing sand and salt spray. This salt spray is deadly to most garden plants and a good reason why people living along our water's edge should choose with care the plants they put around their seaside homes. BEACM PEA —I he observant beachcomber remembers the location of lavender -blue flowers of the beach pea. Later, when pods are formed, they will hold a delicious snack of tiny peas. orb 'V Re.5taurant 4� y Gracious Country Dining Luncheon Noon to 2:30 • Dinner until 9 North Road, Greenport • 477 -1338 • Open Tuesday- Sunday 765 -5247 Lic. #16 -978H1 NORTh FORT( i I WATERFRONT CONTRACTORS, INC. We handle all your waterfront needs – commercial and residential In some of the more protected areas along our beaches we'll find the beach pea, a close relative of the sweet pea. When I think of how delicate the peas are that grow in my garden it's hard to think of a pea growing where salt spray and wind -blown sand might reach it. Yet it often grows profusely producing attractive, lavender -blue flowers which by now should have produced long, slender pea pods with delicious tiny peas inside. Another survival food that most enjoy trying. Like the dandelion that immigrated from Europe the dusty miller has found its place along our beaches. Like all plants that survive in the harsh envi- ronment it must have a way of protect- ing itself. This plant has a dusty coating on its leaves that protects it from the salt spray carried by the winds off the water. It grows in large clumps and has spears of small, yellowish - white flowers in late summer. How this plant grows so profusely and healthy in pure beach sand is difficult to understand. No spray, no fertilizer, yet it seems to thrive in its beach environment. Like most immigrants it's a welcome addition and does its part in holding the restless sands of our beaches in place. One beach plant you will not see on the ocean beach but is found on our bay and Sound beaches is the seabeach sandwort. The thick sort of fleshy, heavy - leafed stems show green in all its splendor. Often it is found in large clumps where rich upland soil is close by. The dried, yellowing remains of last year's stems and leaves can be a help in identifying this lush plant. Walks on any beach can be doubly rewarding if you become familiar with the plants that grow along this precari- ous edge. Each is well adapted for the grueling life it lives in this harsh, tur- bulent area. The waterfront homeowner, after he lives there long enough, recog- nizes this ever - present stress on our beach environment. The Birdwateher io s Compan Ti n �veryfor the Birder' • Bird Feeders • Field Guides • Bird Baths • Carvings • Bird Houses • Seed • Binoculars • Gifts Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 10-5, Sunday 12 -5 • Closed Wednesday North Road, (County Rd. 48) Southold 765 -5872 074 1&, 0 95� Rte. 25 Calverton(1 Mile East of Grumman) Open 7 Major Credit Cards Days A 727 -9594 = , r Week Steaks and Seafood Continental Cuisine plus, nightly... • PRIME RIB - Extra Thick Cut • ALASKAN KING CRAB • DUCK A L'ORANGE • BAKED STUFFED SHRIMP • Our Own MARINATED STEAKS • SHRIMP SCAMPI Hot Lunch Specials Daily 11 - 3:00: Mon. - Sat. 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