The marram is a large grass that the walker will encounter on the dunes of the coast, both in Lampaul-Plouarzel and further north on the dunes of Tréompan in Lampaul-Ploudalmézeau. But it owes its establishment to the combined efforts of the Conservatoire du Littoral and intermunicipal employees who imprison it behind fences and monowires so that walkers respect their plantations.
Marrams plantation © Photo CCPI
Because the dunes are constantly retreating under storms and onslaught of the sea. To fix the sand, you need a plant that can withstand salt spray, strong winds and arid soil. En période de sécheresse, l'oyat limite l'évaporation de l'eau qu'il contient en enroulant ses longues feuilles sur elles-mêmes. Les bords se touchent alors et les feuilles forment des fuseaux qui conservent à l'intérieur un taux d'humidité suffisant pour ses stomates.
The grains of sand brought by the wind collide with the tight network of its spindles and fall at its feet. The dune, not only no longer retreats, but also swells.
With its long rhizomes from which new seedlings are born, the marram grass can cover large areas in a few years. When the dune is fixed, another vegetation then takes the place of this pioneer plant which must be respected.
