Sea Oats, Sea Oats Grass
Uniola paniculata
Family: Poaceae or Gramineae
What it is like
Bloom Color: Brown. Main Bloom Time: Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Upright or erect.
Uniola paniculata is a PERENNIAL growing to 2.5 m (8ft 2in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.
Height (m): 2.5
Where it is found
Sandhills and drifting sands on the coast. Also found on salt flats.
Eastern N. America - Virginia to Texas and Mexico.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Seed - cooked and eaten as a cereal. Said to have a very good flavour. Seed production in the wild is generally poor.
Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating:
The spreading root system of this plant make it useful for stabilizing drifting coastal sand dunes.
Soil stabilization: Plants that can be grown in places such as sand dunes in order to prevent erosion by wind, water or other agents.
How it is grown
Landscape Uses:Erosion control, Ground cover, Seashore. Prefers a moist sandy soil, tolerating some shade. Tolerates maritime exposure and saline soils. An invasive plant, spreading freely by means of its rhizomes, but it is very ornamental. and is well worth a place in the garden. Special Features:North American native, Naturalizing, Attractive flowers or blooms.
Propagating it: Seed - sow early spring in situ and only just cover the seed. Division in spring.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 7-11
Growth: Medium
Soil: Light (sandy), medium
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist