Vulpia fasciculata Dune Fescue

An annual grass of coastal dunes which grows in the open sandy, fore dune communities that also support Sea Spurge (Euphorbia paralias), Sea Holly (Eryngium maritimum), Sea Bindweed (Calystegia soldanella) and Sand Cat's-tail (Phleum arenarium). It is a Mediterranean-Atlantic species which is restricted entirely to coastal dunes and shingle throughout its range, with significant representation in Wales and southern Britain, but largely absent from the north. It is a common component of fore dune communities in West Glamorgan, more or less along the entire coast. John Lighfoot described a 'nondescript'  grass 'of the habit of vulpia bromoides but having only one gluma calycina', which he noted on the sands near Breton (sic) Ferry during his travels through Wales in1773 and it is very likely that he was referring to this species.

Native