Parapholis marginata

Parapholis marginata grows in the in
the following coastal plain regions: the Acre Valley, Carmel Coast, Sharon and Pleshet.
In total, there are 18 documented sites, although it is estimated there are
about 30 sites. In the Acre Valley, the sites are located on the Galilee coast between
Akhziv and Rosh HaNikra. In Nahariya and Acre the species is extinct. On the
Carmel Coast it grows on the Nahsholim, Neve-Yam and Tirat Carmel beaches, and
is extinct in the Haifa area. In the Sharon, P. marginata
was observed in Caesarea, Michmoret, the Poleg Beach and the Herzliya beaches,
and is extinct in Hadera. The Pleshet sites are located on the northern Tel
Aviv beach and near the port.

Calcareous
sandstone hills, red loess (Hamra) mixed with calcareous sandstone, sandy
expanses and disturbed habitats in coastal spray zones.

For the genus – see Parapholis filiformis in the
1^st Volume (P.
marginata is not mentioned there). P. marginata was
not positively identified in Israel until 2000, when it was published as a new
species for Israel. It is extremely similar to P. incurva that grows throughout the
Mediterranean region in Israel. It differs in the sheath of its pistil, which is not swollen
and does not hide the
inflorescence. Some of the previous collections and observations that were attributed
to P. incurve were probably specimens of P.
marginata.  

·        
The number of Parapholis
marginata sites is apparently on a declining trend due to
the extinction of some populations in the coastal areas of urban communities,
such as Nahariya, Acre, Haifa and Hadera. (These populations were previously
identified as P. incurva)

·        
The coastal
strip is subject to intense pressure from urban development and tourism. These
are the major threats to the continued existence of the P. marginata populations.

·        
Some of the
sites are located in nature reserves and national parks: the Rosh HaNikra Beach
Reserve, Dor-HaBonim Nature Reserve and the Caesarea National Park.

·        
P. marginata
is not listed in the red plant lists of other Mediterranean Basin countries,
but as the coastal areas in all the Mediterranean countries are subject to
strong development pressures; this may be an unreported threat n.

Development activities should be prevented in coastal
reserves and national parks. Known sites should be monitored to obtain an updated
picture regarding the size of Parapholis marginata populations and patches.

Parapholis
marginata is a Mediterranean species found around the
Mediterranean that penetrates slightly into neighboring regions.

Parapholis
marginata is a rare annual grass of calcareous sandstone and
sand in the coastal spray zone. It is threatened mainly by development and
tourism pressure on Israel's beaches.