Dune crests are dominated by the tall grass
Stipagrostis amabilis
Kalahari Dune Grass or Dune Bushman Grass is a hard, shrub-like, tufted grass producing stolons and rhizomes, growing up to 2 m in height. lt has hard, needle-like leaves which often form clusters at the nodes. It is a very effective sand binder and a successful coloniser of dunes. It occurs predominantly on the loose and very loose sands of dune slopes and dune crests in the Kalahari duneveld. It is a diagnostic species for the plant community of this habitat.
Stipagrostis amabilis is not very palatable and animals such as gemsbok only graze on young green, soft and palatable shoots. Dune Bushmen Grass is used extensively by the social weaver to build their nests.