BEACHES AND DUNES

The beaches are of white sand and are gently sloping. Plants there include Ipomoea stolonifera, Ipomoea sagittata, Hydrocotyle bonariensis, Heterotheca subaxillaris, Croton punctatus, Paronychia erecta, and others.

Inland from the beach is the dune region, with taller plants such as Uniola paniculata, Iva frutescens, Iva imbricata, Andropogon maritimus, Cynodon dactylon, Spartina patens, and several species of Panicum. Upon the higher, more inland and older dunes adjacent to the pine forest grow shrubs such as Solidago pauciflosculosa and Ceratiola ericoides. Between these grow herbs such as Cnidoscolus stimulosus, Opuntia compressa, Helianthemum arenicola and Polygonella gracilis.

The leeward slopes of the dunes are more mesic and support such woody species as Quercus myrtifolia, Quercus virginiana var. maritima, Ilex vomitoria, Sassafras albidum, Magnolia grandiflora and Asimina parviflora.

The high dunes toward the east end of the island are relatively stable and support a fairly dense vegetation. Toward the western end, plant cover is sparse and sand encroachment upon the forest appears to be rapid. Adjacent to the north-facing beach bordering the sound is a narrow, low dune area. Common species are grasses such as Spartina patens, Distichlis spicata, Panicum repens, and Andropogon maritimus.

Latin Name	Family	Flower Color	Growth Habit	Description
Cuscuta pentagona	Convolvulaceae	cream	shrub	Custa pentagona
Croton punctatus	Euphorbiaceae	Insignificant	herb	Croton punctatus - plant
Cyperus lecontei	Cyperaceae	no discernible color	herb	Cyperus lecontei
Cyperus lecontei	Cyperaceae	no discernible color	herb	Cyperus lecontei
Cyperus lecontei	Cyperaceae	no discernible color	herb	Cyperus lecontei
Cyperus lecontei	Cyperaceae	no discernible color	herb	Cyperus lecontei
Sesuvium protulacastrum	Aizoaceae	Pinkish purple	herb	Sesuvium protulacastrum
Sesuvium protulacastrum	Aizoaceae	Pinkish purple	herb	Sesuvium protulacastrum
Ipomoea stolonifera	Concolvulaceae	white	herb	Ipomoea stolonifera- flower
Ipomoea stolonifera	Concolvulaceae	white	herb	Ipomoea stolonifera- plants on beach
Ipomoea stolonifera	Convolvulaceae	white	herb	Ipomoea stolonifera- plant
Ipomoea stolonifera	Convolvulaceae	white	herb	Ipomoea stolonifera- flower
Sagittaria graminea	Alismataceae	White	herb	Sagittaria graminea
Sagittaria graminea	Alismataceae	White	herb	Sagittaria graminea
Heterotheca subaxillaris	Asteraceae	yellow		Heterotheca subaxillaris- plant
Heterotheca subaxillaris	Asteraceae	yellow		Heterotheca subaxillaris- Flower closeup
Heterotheca subaxillaris	Asteraceae	yellow	herb	Heterotheca subaxillaris