The image of white dunes is the epitome of relaxing holiday landscapes on the North and Baltic Seas.
Due to the more or less strong sand drifts on the coasts, white dunes can pile up to several meters high. As a result, you lose a bit of contact with the deeper areas, which are still heavily influenced by the salt water - one speaks of sweetening the soil. These are generally more favorable conditions for plants and as a result, beach grass (Ammophila arenaria, photo) in particular, as a typical type of grass, can grow well on these thin areas. The name Weißdüne comes from the fact that the sand drifts are still comparatively fresh and therefore more or less white. Only later, when the dune has stabilized, can soil formation begin and the resulting humus then colors the dunes; one then speaks of gray dunes.
In addition to beach grass, other plant species can typically grow on white dunes, e.g. beach winds (Calystegia soldanella), four-male hornwort (Cerastium diffusum), beach rye (Elymus arenarius), sea thistle (Eryngium maritimum), dune red fescue (Festuca rubrassp. Arenaria), Beach pea (Lathyrus maritimus) or sand evening primrose (Oenothera oakesiana). Another type of grass is significant from a botanical point of view: the Baltic beach grass (Calammophila baltica) - it is a sterile cross between the beach grass and the land riding grass (Calamagrostis epigeos) and spreads through runners.