Northern Sea Oats (Chasmanthium latifolium)

Northern Sea Oats

(Chasmanthium latifolium)

Northern Sea Oats (Chasmanthium latifolium)

Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova

CC BY-SA 4.0

Image By: Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova

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Copyright Notice: Photo by: Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova | License Type: CC BY-SA 4.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0 | Uploader: Nova | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Chasmanthium_latifolium_Obiedka_szerokolistna_2023-10-01_03.jpg | Notes: User created page with UploadWizard |

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Chasmanthium latifolium, commonly known as Northern Sea Oats or Woodoats, is a deciduous perennial grass native to riparian areas, open woodlands, and moist slopes in the Eastern and Midwest U.S. as well as Northeastern Mexico. It typically grows to about 3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 meters) in height and 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters) in width. This grass is characterized by its distinctive, flat, drooping seed heads and bamboo-like foliage, which turn a rich bronze in fall. The seed heads are quite showy from summer to fall and persist into winter, providing visual interest and food for birds.

Northern Sea Oats is valued for its adaptability to a range of garden settings, including shaded gardens where few grasses succeed. It is often used for naturalistic plantings, erosion control, and as an accent in borders or along water features. While it prefers moist, well-drained soils, it is tolerant of a variety of soil types, including acidic sands, loams, and clays. It is recommended for USDA hardiness zones 3–9. Gardeners should be aware that it can self-seed and become invasive in some conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Grass
Height: 2-5 feet
Width: 1-2.5 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Color: N/A
Flowering Season: Summer, Fall
Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: Medium
Drainage: Fast, Medium, Slow

Common Uses

Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Erosion Control, Groundcover, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Rock Garden, Salt Tolerant, Street Planting

Natural Habitat

Riparian areas, open woodlands, and moist slopes in the Eastern and Midwest U.S. and Northeastern Mexico

Other Names

Common Names: Indian Wood Oats , Broad-Leaved Chasmanthium , Northern Sea Oats , Wild Oats , River Oats

Scientific Names: Chasmanthium latifolium , Uniola latifolia

GBIF Accepted Name: Chasmanthium latifolium (Michx.) H.O.Yates