Common Name: Indian Woodoats
Scientific Name: Chasmanthium latifolium
Order: Cyperales
Family: Poaceae
Wetland Plant Status: Facultative
Ecology & Description Indian woodoats is an ornamental grass. It is favored because of its flower color, drought, moisture, salt and shade tolerance. It is easily identified by the oat-like flower heads. The flower heads may also be cut and dried. It is tolerant and survives in the cold and snow. The stem of the plant can reach heights of 1.5 m. The stem also bears flattened spike in the fall that looks like oat seed heads that have been flattened. The leaves turn golden-tan in the winter and the seedheads remain throughout the winter. The seeds on the plant contain both male and female parts and are pollinated by the wind.
Habitat Indian woodoats has a preferred habitat of shaded slopes, low thickets, and stream banks. The plant also makes a solid mat in moist loams and has been planted to help stabilize sandy dunes. It may self-sow somewhat in the garden. The pH for this particular species is around the five to six ranges. The species prefers sun to partial shade for the best growth. It can also be used for erosion control on some sites; it can grow on sandy and loamy soils which helps keep all the soil from washing away and causing problems.
Distribution Indian woodoats did not always have such a wide distribution, as it was originally only native to the east coast of the United States and parts of Mexico. But over time has spread it distribution throughout the southeast and is heading north and west.
Native/Invasive Status Indian woodoats is native to the eastern United States and Northern Mexico.
Wildlife Uses White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) will graze on Indian woodoats only occasionally. The seeds are a source of food for birds [such as northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) and songbirds] and cattle, and serves as a host plant for a native butterfly to Oklahoma, Linda’s Roadside Skipper (Amblyscirtes linda).
Establishment & Management Techniques When establishing a stand of Indian woodoats, the seeds can either be propagated as plugs or vegetatively. Because this plant is only moderately drought tolerant, planting it in partial shade is best. If not properly managed, the plants will reseed and can become aggressive in an area. To manage the plant, simply remove seed heads before they mature.
References Chasmanthium latifolium. 2006. Learn2Grow. Online.
This document was authored by Benjamin Moore, School of Forestry, Louisiana Tech University, March 2015.