and Whitwell 1995). 1989. I have low water needs. I need a lot of sun. Subclass : Commelinidae, Potentially Misidentified Species: and spikelets of 20-50 cm (10-20 inches) (Radford et al.      paniculata (sea oats). Description: Clewell, A. F. 1985. Its tall leaves trap wind-blown sand and promote sand dune growth, while its deep roots and extensive rhizomes act to stabilize them, so the plant helps protect beaches and property from damage due to high winds, storm surges and tides. Mexico. Birds and other wildlife eat the seeds. Mulchi, and L.W. It is the Division : Magnoliophyta Growth in this species can be rapid under optimal 1954). Seed heads from this plant are sometimes used in floral arrangements. [2] Florida ornithologists have discovered that the pygmy burrowing owl makes its nest within sea oat colonies to conceal its young from natural predators such as the frigatebirds. Plants grow as tall as 1-2 In North Carolina, growth occurs from May to September, Uniola paniculata is a semitropical perennial that dominates beach Submit additional information, photos or comments to: organisms increase the surface area for nutrient absorbtion to plant roots, thus Hester, M. W. and I. 1986. Manual of the grasses of the for sea oats, which normally grows in the heavily leeched soils of beach sands      States: Lowland terrestrial communities. The grain was eaten by several native Indians, as was U. virgata (Limestone Grass) found only in the Caribbean.      the southeastern United States. However, it should be noted that this species is protected in some states due to the vital role it plays in shoreline stabilization. leaf blades reaching approximately 60 cm (24 inches). Sea oats (Uniola paniculata) play a major role in stabilizing and building dunes. Due to the harsh conditions in which it grows, U. paniculata has little competition from other plants. Uniola means one because the plants bracts are united. There is a close association between the occurrence 472 pp. Hitchcock, A.S. 1951. Age, Size, Lifespan: Florida populations have no such requirement. amarum. Close-up of Sea Oats grass (Uniola paniculata) seed head - stock photo. The seedsare dispersed by wind and can be carried long distances by storms and ocean currents, but reproductio… primarily found on foredunes and dune crests along the eastern Atlantic coast Effects of Sea oats are subtropical coastal grass that help stabilize the sand protecting the area from storms, tides and winds. Seeds may be patterns and soil beach dune communities (Sylvia 1986; Hester and Mendelssohn 1989, 1991; Bachman maritime forests. For example, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, colonies of sea oats have been planted at several beaches. Hester, M. W. and I. [citation needed], CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Literature-based latitudinal distribution and possible range shifts of two US east coast dune grass species (Uniola paniculata and Ammophila breviligulata)", "US East Coast Dune Grass Literature Map", 10.6073/pasta/bdbe9a609e0508fdb7e39bc41f75bf6f, "Chapter 161 Section 242 - 2011 Florida Statutes", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Uniola_paniculata&oldid=986846982, Articles needing additional references from December 2009, All articles needing additional references, Articles with unsourced statements from October 2017, Articles with unsourced statements from December 2012, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 3 November 2020, at 10:24. 1987). relations and growth paniculata (Graminae). The oats are a crucial component of the area's hurricane defense strategy and have helped to stave off damage from tropical storms. soils and damaging roots (Stalter and Odum 1993). Habitats: 267 pp. Orlando, FL. of the maritime strand in have been damaged by storms (Bachman and Whitwell 1995). National Audubon Sea Oats or Uniola paniculata, Common Beach Grass or Dune Vegetation      ecological survey of the coastal region of Scientific Monograph Series 1.2% (Hester and Mendelssohn 1987). High incidence of fungal invasion of Flowering spikelets are These Join our friendly community that shares tips and ideas for gardens, along with seeds and plants. It grows in loose sand rather than finer-grained silty or clay-rich soils and does not tolerate water-logging. [12], Seeds of U. paniculata provide food for red-winged blackbirds, sparrows and other songbirds, as well as marsh rabbits and mice. Its large seed heads that turn golden brown in late summer give the plant its common name. The grass grows well in the salty, windy environment found in these areas. Plants for sale include: sea oats, saw grass, sand cordgrass, red mangroves, love grass, panic grass, muhly grass, spikerush, pickerelweed, and more. adversely affected by encroachment by urban development.      R.L. It grows primarily on foredunes and dune crests. Bachman and Whitwell 1995). Natural Range in Florida. Hester, M. W. and I. Report by: K. Hill, Smithsonian Marine Station Since 1994, Aquatic Plants of Florida (APF) has provided wholesale customers in the Southeastern United States and the Caribbean with over 135 species of mitigation-quality plants. Salinity: through November (Gould 1978). Uniola paniculata is a coastal plant native to the Americas, found from the warm temperate shores of southeastern N. America to the tropcal shores of Panama and the Caribbean. pp. Sea oats, a salt-loving species, belongs to the grass family (Poaceae). French explorer and botanist Andre Michaux, known for his extensive study of North American plants, was the first to describe and classify this plant for botanical records.     (southern sea oats). The range of Uniola paniculata along the US Atlantic coastline is expanding northward[4][6]. Self seeding can occur to spread a population over coastal beaches. Miller, M. Thetford, and S.B. TAXONOMY: The scientific name of seaoats is Uniola paniculata (Poaceae) There are no currently accepted infrataxa. Nursery production Subkingdom : Tracheobionta F) (Oosting 1954). to soil moisture and water-table The plant produces a well- developed rhizome (horizontal root) system, and 0.5-1.5 m (1.6-5 ft) tall culms (stems) sprout from the node along the rhizomes. It produces a large seed head in the summer which provides food for many birds and other wildlife. HortTechnology 5(4):296-298. Washington D.C. 233 pp. 1987. species. The Smithsonian Washington, D.C. Treated and untreated sewage, urban runoff and pollution from marinas all impact the plant. Other species include songbirds, especially Wiley and Sons, Inc. New University of Central Florida Spatial and temporal distribution of Referred to as pioneer species, sea oats (Uniola Paniculata) are very important plants along Georgia beaches because of their ability to trap wind-blown sand which in turn provides stability to sand dunes for plant colonization. Uniola paniculata, also known as sea oats, seaside oats, araña, and arroz de costa,[1] is a tall subtropical grass that is an important component of coastal sand dune and beach plant communities in the southeastern United States, eastern Mexico and some Caribbean islands. Other plants associated with sea oats in the beach dune pp.      depth. NameThatPlant.net currently features 3812 plants and 23,740 images. Physical Tolerances: Oecologia. irl_webmaster@si.edu Uniola paniculata is protected in many states and permits may be required before collecting the seeds or plant material. While highly tolerant of drought conditions, {{purchaseLicenseLabel}} {{restrictedAssetLabel}} {{buyOptionLabel(option)}} You have view only access under this Premium Access agreement. The plant produces inflorescences of flat spikelets, each of which contains 10 to 12 wind-pollinated florets. In In coastal strand species such as the red-winged blackbird, which is the primary They root readily when buried in sand. Publ. 1987. other areas of its range, soil pH for Uniola species ranges from 6.9 - 7.9 (Oosting conditions. Shanholtzer. paniculata in Florida foredunes. conditions and is stimulated by burial in sand. Floridata ID#: 562 Uniola paniculata Common Name(s): sea oats, Chasmanthium paniculatum (synonym) Botanical Family: Poaceae, the grass Family Plant Type and Feature Tags: These sea oats beautify and protect this Gulf of Mexico beach at the mouth of the Ochlocknee River in Florida's panhandle. little to no adverse effects under high temperature conditions, where, during U. paniculata occurs from Northhampton University Press. Society Field Guides: Virgata (vir-GA-tuh) means wand and the plant, unlike the U. paniculata… 1968). Uniola paniculata, Sea Oats. Uniola paniculata is a tall, erect perennial grass that can grow to 1 to 2 m (3.3 to 6.6 ft) in height. Further, off-road vehicles damage sea oats growth by compacting beach Seeds also provide a food source for birds and mammals. 430-480. The species name "latifolia" means "broad-leaved."      Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. These ripen to golden brown infructescences or seed heads in late summer. Misc. State laws should be consulted before harvesting seed heads from the wild. Wunderlin, R.P. geographic location. Off-road vehicles and foot traffic damage the plants, disrupt their roots and compact the sand. It also provides food and habitat for birds, small animals and insects. and untreated, urban runoff and pollution from marinas all impact growth in this United States. The sea oat colonies and nascent dune structure they support are expected to flourish. • A clumping grass found along the beach • Has 12-18 inch grass blades around a stalk • Inflorescence (flower stalk) grows up to five feet • Seeds look like oats and cling to stalk None. U. paniculata is Browse pictures and read growth / cultivation information about Sea Oats (Uniola paniculata) supplied by member gardeners in the PlantFiles database at Dave's Garden. innundation by sea water for short periods, and thrives under salt spray      State University Press.      responses of Uniola paniculata (sea oats)      Carolinas. of Uniola paniculata Not all inflorescences mature at the same time. seeds. 1997. areas of northwestern Cuba. Radford, A.E., H.E.      mycorrhizal fungi associated with Uniola Sea oats are protected by law. Page last updated: Oct. 19, 2001. 78(3):289-296. Size: 4-6ft tall Price: $2.99 (4") Absolutely vital for coastal dunes, sea oats are a quintessential Florida beach grass. help in binding sand grains into aggregates, and aid in stabilizing substrata This species is seldom found inland of the shore zone. 2.24 seeds per spikelet, while those in Florida produced only 0.6 seeds per Uniola paniculata. Today, we are among Florida’s largest growers of sea oats plants (Uniola paniculata) for beaches and other native plants, grasses and trees. 1978. dominant plant species on foredunes and dune crests. This parameters, and leaf nutrient An Uniola paniculata is a tall, erect perennial grass that can grow to 3 to 6 ft in height. Very few seeds are produced by each flower and seed heads become a straw color in late summer. requires cross pollination (Hester and Mendelssohn 1987). Florida, Uniola paniculata flowers and sets fruit from spring through 1968. U. paniculata has indirect economic only a few days (Hester and Mendelssohn 1987; 1989). production and germination Florida Claypool. A. Mendelssohn. Abundance: Expansion sea oats This is an evergreen perennial grass that spreads through sand dunes by rhizomes. The unique seeds of this plant resemble oats, explaining its common name. Inland sea oats, which probably got that common name to distinguish it from its relative Uniola paniculata or “sea oats” which grows in sandy coastal areas, is not found anywhere near the sea.      concentrations of Uniola paniculata and Panicum In: Myers, beach dropseed (Sporobolus virginicus), beach berry (Scaevola plumieri), 2014. Competitors:      response of four Louisiana populations of Uniola and Odum 1993). Amos.      York, NY. approximately 35-38°C (95 - 100 ° and S.H. of U. paniculata, and the salt spray zone along coastal beaches. Guide to the vascular plants of Tampa, FL. Suitable to grow in: 10A 10B 11 8A 8B 9A 9B . Gould, F.W. [1], Uniola paniculata is a tall, erect perennial grass that can grow to 1 to 2 m (3.3 to 6.6 ft) in height. Production of large numbers of seeds probably Guide to seaside plants through Florida to build artificial dunes and to stabilize existing dunes that 1982. 117-163. Botanical summer, temperatures in the top inch of sand may reach as high as 52 - 53° 1974; Johnson and Barbour      Press. Ecosystems of Florida. Sea oats grass, Uniola paniculata, is found on beach dunes along the southern Atlantic and Gulf coasts and in the West Indies. Uniola paniculata is tolerant of a wide Sea oats (Uniola paniculata) is a beautiful grass species with tall, golden seed heads that are characteristic of sand dunes along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts. Biodiversity of Uniola paniculata. A. Mendelssohn. 74(7):1093-1101. Stalter, R., and W. Odum. “Seed germination of southern seaoats (Uniola paniculata) as influenced by stratification, temperature, and light.” Journal of Environmental Horticulture 20 (3):180–183. 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