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Native Plant Database

Header Photo: Mervin Wallace

Northern Sea Oats; River Oats

Chasmanthium latifolium
Plant Type: Grasses / Sedges / Rushes
Native Environment: Stream Edge, Wetland
Season of Interest: Winter (Nov - Mar)
Main Color: Green
Fall Color: Brown, Red

USDA PLANTS Range Map

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Sun Exposure 
Full Sun, Shade
Soil
Moisture
Moderate, High
Nature Attracting
Wildlife Benefit
Butterfly / Moth Host
Animal
Resistance
Deer Resistant
Size

Height:

30 to
48
inches

Spread:

24 to
30
inches
Size
Height: 30 to
48
inches
Spread: 24 to
30
inches
Size
Height: 30 to
48
inches
Spread: 24 to
30
inches
Typical Landscape Use
Plant in the border, shade garden, native plant garden, naturalized area, along streams or on the edge of the water garden. Seed heads are good in fresh or dried arrangements.
Establishment and Care Instructions
Easily grown in moist, well-drained soil but tolerates poor soil. Self-seeds and may become invasive, or beneficial in producing ground cover for aesthetics and/or erosion control. Leave foliage in place over winter to add interest to the landscape and protect crowns from the cold.
Special Features
Special Usage
Dried Flower, Fresh Cut Flower
Basic Description

Upright clumps of bamboo-like foliage. Green leaves turn copper in fall and brown in winter. Attractive flat flower spikes hang down from stems. Prefers light shade and damp soil. Can self-sow prolifically. Also known as wood oats and river oats. Caterpillars of Northern Pearly Eye butterfly, two skippers and a moth feed on it.

Close-up of golden-brown panicle of spikelets with green leaves in the background.

Golden-brown spikelets of Chasmanthium latifolium. Photo by Mark Ostendorf.

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