Indian Woodoats

Description

Chasmanthium latifolium, known as woodoats, inland sea oats, northern sea oats, and river oats is a grass native to the central and eastern United States, Manitoba, and northeastern Mexico; it grows as far north as Pennsylvania and Michigan, where it is a threatened species. The species was previously classified as Uniola latifolia (André Michaux). Chasmanthium latifolium is a cool-season, rhizomatous perennial grass with stems about 1 m 3 feet tall. The plant typically grows in wooded areas and riparian zones. It is used in landscaping in North America, where it is noted as a relatively rare native grass that thrives in partial shade; the plant is recommended for USDA hardiness zones 3–9 in acidic sands, loams, and clays.