Thickspiked Wheatgrass
(Agropyton dasystachyum Scribner var. psammophilum)

This attractive blue-gray grass is a well-defined Great Lakes plant restricted to the sandy beaches and dune communities adjacent to Lakes Michigan and Huron in Wisconsin, Michigan and Ontario.

In Wisconsin, thickspiked wheatgrass is listed as threatened species.
DNR Photo

Habitat alteration and destruction, including residential development, roadways, plantings, structures to stabilize coastal dunes, and other activities, have encroached upon the available habitat for this already restricted plant. Where found, it may be locally abundant and with Great Lake coastal species such as dune thistle, dune goldenrod, dune willow and Lake Huron tansy, although these are all more restricted in Wisconsin than thickspiked wheatgrass.

For more information, ask the Whitefish Dunes naturalist, (920) 823-2400.