Plant Fact Sheet - Plant Materials Program - US Department of ...
Plant Fact Sheet - Plant Materials Program - US Department of ...
Plant Fact Sheet - Plant Materials Program - US Department of ...
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INLAND SEA OATS<br />
Chasmanthium latifolium<br />
(Michx.) H.O. Yates<br />
<strong>Plant</strong> Symbol = CHLA5<br />
<strong>Plant</strong> <strong>Fact</strong> <strong>Sheet</strong><br />
Erosion Control Inland sea oats provides ground<br />
cover vegetation for critically eroding shaded areas,<br />
thus reducing soil erosion and improving water<br />
quality. Inland sea oats has proven salt tolerant and<br />
can prove useful in dune management where sunlight<br />
is not too intense.<br />
Status<br />
Please consult the PLANTS website and your State<br />
<strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong> Natural Resources for this plant’s<br />
current status (e.g. threatened or endangered species,<br />
state noxious status, and wetland indicator values)<br />
J.S. Peterson@<strong>US</strong>DA-NRCS.plants.database<br />
Alternate Names<br />
Scientific names (synonym)<br />
Uniola latifolia Michaux<br />
Common Names<br />
Indian Woodoats, Broad-leaf Chasmanthium,<br />
Northern Sea Oats, wild Oats<br />
Uses<br />
Ornamental, plant used as ground cover in shady<br />
areas. Dried plants and seed heads popular for cut<br />
and dried arrangements. <strong>Plant</strong>s used to accent open<br />
woodland gardens. In northern part <strong>of</strong> its range<br />
inland sea oats is used for texture and color contrast<br />
in plantings.<br />
Wildlife Inland sea oats is a minor component <strong>of</strong> the<br />
woodland habitat used as cover in open areas. The<br />
seed is used as food by birds and rodents. Some<br />
butterflies use the leaves as host for eggs.<br />
Livestock Cattle will graze inland sea oats, but<br />
accessibility and lack <strong>of</strong> abundance keep it from<br />
being and important forage species.<br />
Description<br />
Inland sea oats is a rhizomatous clump forming<br />
perennial with characteristic drooping panicles. The<br />
plant can reach four feet in height, but is most <strong>of</strong>ten<br />
shorter. The leaf blades are broadly lanceolate (up to<br />
one inch wide at base) giving it the common name<br />
broad-leafed Chasmanthium. Seed heads are borne<br />
in open panicles up to 10 inches long. The drooping<br />
panicles are initially green turning straw colored as<br />
seed ripen. Various shades <strong>of</strong> red sometimes occur<br />
as the fruiting spikelets mature.<br />
Adaptation<br />
Range<br />
Inland sea oats is found from Pennsylvania south<br />
through Florida, in the upper mid-west to Wisconsin<br />
and south through Iowa Missouri and Kansas. In the<br />
south this species ranges from Florida through<br />
Arizona.<br />
Site<br />
Throughout its range, inland sea oats is found in<br />
moderate or greater shade. Its adaptation varies<br />
from moist to well drained sites in various parts <strong>of</strong> its<br />
range. It is never found on droughty sites. In the<br />
mid-west and north central states (region 3), this<br />
species is considered a facultative wet site species<br />
growing on deep moist well drained sites. In other<br />
regions <strong>of</strong> its range inland sea oats is variously rated<br />
as upland or facultative, which is indicative <strong>of</strong> the<br />
great adaptability.<br />
Establishment<br />
This species may be propagated from seed as plugs or<br />
vegetatively by divisions or plugs. As an ornamental,<br />
place plants two to three feet apart along a garden<br />
border.<br />
<strong>Plant</strong> <strong>Materials</strong> <br />
<strong>Plant</strong> <strong>Fact</strong> <strong>Sheet</strong>/Guide Coordination Page <br />
National <strong>Plant</strong> Data Center
Management<br />
Inland sea oats is moderately tolerant <strong>of</strong> drought<br />
conditions within its range <strong>of</strong> adaptation, and will<br />
accept partial shade throughout most <strong>of</strong> its range. In<br />
northern parts <strong>of</strong> its range, inland sea oats is<br />
considered a moist site species. <strong>Plant</strong>s will reseed<br />
and may become aggressive if not properly managed.<br />
Cultivars, Improved and Selected <strong>Materials</strong> (and<br />
area <strong>of</strong> origin)<br />
None known, though it is commonly available from<br />
selected seed companies and nurseries Because <strong>of</strong> the<br />
wide range and variability in plants <strong>of</strong> inland sea oats<br />
plants or seeds should be from local sources.<br />
Prepared By<br />
Richard H. Neill<br />
<strong>US</strong>DA-NRCS <strong>Plant</strong> <strong>Materials</strong> Center, Galliano<br />
Louisiana<br />
Date: 23 Feb, 2007<br />
Edited: Morris Houck, Scott Edwards, Gary Fine<br />
For more information about this and other plants, please contact<br />
your local NRCS field <strong>of</strong>fice or Conservation District, and visit the<br />
PLANTS Web site or the <strong>Plant</strong> <strong>Materials</strong><br />
<strong>Program</strong> Web site <br />
The U.S. <strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong> Agriculture (<strong>US</strong>DA) prohibits<br />
discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis <strong>of</strong><br />
race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political<br />
beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all<br />
prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities<br />
who require alternative means for communication <strong>of</strong> program<br />
information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact<br />
<strong>US</strong>DA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).<br />
To file a complaint <strong>of</strong> discrimination write <strong>US</strong>DA, Director, Office<br />
<strong>of</strong> Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and<br />
Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call<br />
202-720-5964 (voice or TDD). <strong>US</strong>DA is an equal opportunity<br />
provider and employer.<br />
Read about Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation<br />
Service.