Chasmanthium latifolium – River Oats(B.DR.EC.H.M.OP.SHWY)

Ecosystem Services:
(B)-Birds                                             (B&B)-Birds & Butterflies

(BTF)-Butterflies                             (BW)-Black Walnut Resistant

(DR)-Deer Resistant                      (DRGHT)-Drought Resistant

(EC)-Erosion Control                    (EVR)-Evergreen

(FC)-Fall Color                                 (FRG)-Fragrant

(GRD)-Groundcover                      (H)-Host plant

(HMR)-Hummingbirds                (M)-Mammals

(MTH)-Moths                                   (N)-Nectar

(NB)-Native Bees                            (NST)-Nesting Material

(OP)-Other pollinators                 (RR)-Rabbit Resistant

(SHWY)-Showy                                (SPC)-Specimen Plant

River Oats is a native, clump-forming, upright grass in the Poaceae (grass) family. This easy-to-grow ornamental grass reaches a height between 2 and 5 feet and a width of 1 to 2 feet.

The distinctive flat nodding seed heads, which resemble oats, emerge green in spring, turn tan in summer, and then purplish in fall. They sway gracefully in the slightest breeze. If given enough sun, the bamboo-like leaves often turn yellow-gold in fall. This plant is a larval host plant for butterflies and a food source for small mammals and birds.

It is easily grown in moist, wet, well-drained soils in the sun to the shade. It is fairly tolerant of shade, especially for an ornamental grass.

Use in naturalized areas, along streams, or on the edges of water gardens. Watch its placement, especially in smaller gardens, as it may spread aggressively by rhizomes and seeds.

This plant was selected as the 1994 NC Wildflower of the Year, a program managed by the North Carolina Botanical Garden with some financial support from the Garden Club of North Carolina.

Host plant for the Northern Pearly-Eye and several Skipper species.