What does marram grass need?
The optimal soil conditions for marram grass is a soil pH from 4.5-9.0, soil temperatures from 10-40 degrees Celsius, and salt concentrations of no more than 1.0-1.5%. Marram grass can also be found on alkaline soils with a high pH of around 9.1 and also acidic soils with pH less than 4.5.
How does marram grass help sand dunes?
But Marram grass is not just a convenient child’s sword or hiding place, it plays a vital role in stabilising the dunes, its fibrous, matted roots binding the sand down, which helps to encourage the colonisation of other plants.
Does marram grass have deep roots?
Capable of growing very deep roots , called rhizomes, in search of water; Able of growing when sand blows onto it and thrives in these conditions and; Has leaves which curl up during hot and dry weather to reduce water loss (transpiration) and have a corrugated surface on the inside.
What kills marram grass?
Spot spray: 520g/L haloxyfop-P-methyl (150ml/10L + crop oil) or glyphosate (125ml/10L + penetrant). 520g/L haloxyfop-P-methyl will kill spinifex and stunt pingao. Spray after rain if possible to minimise salt contamination of herbicide, especially when using glyphosate.
Why does Marram Grass reduce water loss?
Marram grass has a rolled leaf that creates a localized environment of water vapour concentration within the leaf, and helps to prevent water loss. This slowing of air movement once again reduces the amount of water vapour being lost. A waxy cuticle on the leaf surface also prevents evaporation.
What animals eat Marram grass?
Sometimes humans kill marram grass by driving or walking on it too much and never giving it a chance to grow. Rabbits and sheep may also eat it up. You can see where this happens because the grass has gone and there are patches or paths of bare sand.
What conditions do Marram grass live in?
Marram grass is a Xerophyte – thriving in arid conditions where most plants would curl up and die. Surviving happily on free-draining sand on windy coasts, the plant does everything it can to prevent unnecessary water loss.
Why does Marram grass have curled leaves?
Marram grass has a rolled leaf that creates a localized environment of water vapour concentration within the leaf, and helps to prevent water loss. The stomata sit in small pits within the curls of the structure, which make them less likely to open and to lose water.
What animals eat marram grass?
Why does marram grass reduce water loss?
How does thick waxy cuticle prevent water loss?
Thick, waxy cuticle – having leaves covered by a thickened cuticle prevents water loss from the leaf surface. Stomata in pits – having stomata in pits, surrounded by hairs, traps water vapour and hence reduces transpiration.
Do rabbits eat marram grass?
Sometimes humans kill marram grass by driving or walking on it too much and never giving it a chance to grow. Rabbits and sheep may also eat it up.
What conditions do marram grass live in?
How does hairy leaves reduce water loss?
Hairy leaves – minimise water loss by reducing air flow and creating a humid microclimate which reduces evaporation rate and the water potential gradient. Curled leaves – minimises water loss within a microenvironment with no air flow creating a humid microclimate reducing evaporation rate and water potential gradient.
How do curled leaves reduce water loss?
Some plants have leaves that curl or roll away from the harsh sunlight. This helps reduce the amount of water lost through the leaves due to evaporation. Plants that grow in drier environments have fewer stomata, the pores found on the epidermis (the outer layer of the leaf).
How do Xerophytes reduce water loss?
Xerophytic plants often have very thick waxy cuticles surrounding their epidermal tissues (outer cell layers) to prevent water loss by transpiration (water diffusing out of cells and evaporating into the air).
What causes a plant’s leaves to curl?
Curling leaves can be caused by many problems, including insect damage, disease, abiotic disorders, or even herbicides. There are several insect pests that cause leaves to curl when they suck plant juices of new or young leaves that are still growing. These include aphids, thrips, and whiteflies.
