Editing Ammophila (plant) (section)

== Adaptations ==
[[File:European Marram Grass (Ammophila arenaria) rolled leaf close-up.jpg|thumb|A single leaf of marram grass, showing the rolled leaf which reduces water loss]]

Like other [[xerophytes]], marram grass is well-adapted to thrive in an otherwise harsh environment. The natural loss of water through [[transpiration]] is not desirable in a very dry landscape, and marram grass has developed particular adaptations to help it deal with that. Sandy conditions drain water quickly, and very windy conditions will further increase rates of transpiration.

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 makes them less likely to open and lose water. The folded leaves have hairs on the inside to slow or stop air movement, much like many other xerophytes. Although they are typically found on the outside of the plant, in marram grass they are also within the leaf as this has now become a structure with more volume. The slowing of air movement also reduces the amount of water vapour being lost. A waxy [[plant cuticle|cuticle]] on the leaf surface inhibits evaporation as well.