Atch_1_Uniola_paniculata_FP59400.pdf

FPS-594

Uniola paniculata Sea Oats1

Edward F. Gilman2

1. This document is FPS-594, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date October 1999.

Reviewed February 2014. Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2. Edward F. Gilman, professor, Environmental Horticulture Department; UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other UF/IFAS Extension publications, contact your county’s UF/IFAS Extension office.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, UF/IFAS Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A & M University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, dean for UF/IFAS Extension.

Introduction Sea oats once blanketed the coastal landscape along the southeastern United States from North Carolina to south Florida (Fig. 1). Now they are endangered. They were the primary dune stabilizer and will grow right up to the high tide mark along the beach. Plants spread by means of underground rhizomes. Each plant develops a showy inflorescence about 5 feet tall. The oat-like fruit persists on the plant, giving the plant a nice texture as the wind blows.

Existing plants should be saved wherever possible, and planting should be encouraged along the beaches.

General Information Scientific name: Uniola paniculata Pronunciation: yoo-NYE-oh-luh pan-nick-yoo-LAY-tuh Common name(s): sea oats Family: Gramineae Plant type: herbaceous; ornamental grass

USDA hardiness zones: 7B through 11 (Fig. 2) Planting month for zone 7: year round Planting month for zone 8: year round Planting month for zone 9: year round Planting month for zone 10 and 11: year round Origin: native to Florida Uses: mass planting Availability: somewhat available, may have to go out of the region to find the plant

Description Height: 5 to 8 feet Spread: 1 to 2 feet Plant habit: upright Plant density: open Growth rate: moderate Texture: fine

Figure 1. Sea oats

Figure 2. Shaded area represents potential planting range.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu

2Uniola paniculata Sea Oats

Foliage Leaf arrangement: most emerge from the soil, usually without a stem Leaf type: simple Leaf margin: entire Leaf shape: linear Leaf venation: parallel Leaf type and persistence: evergreen Leaf blade length: 12 to 18 inches Leaf color: green Fall color: no fall color change Fall characteristic: not showy

Flower Flower color: white Flower characteristic: spring flowering; summer flowering

Fruit Fruit shape: oval Fruit length: .5 to 1 inch Fruit cover: dry or hard Fruit color: brown Fruit characteristic: persists on the plant

Trunk Branches Trunk/bark/branches: typically multi-trunked or clumping stems Current year stem/twig color: not applicable Current year stem/twig thickness: thick

Culture Light requirement: plant grows in full sun Soil tolerances: acidic; alkaline; sand Drought tolerance: high Soil salt tolerances: good Plant spacing: 24 to 36 inches

Other Roots: not applicable Winter interest: no special winter interest Outstanding plant: plant has outstanding ornamental features and could be planted more Invasive potential: aggressive, spreading plant Pest resistance: no serious pests are normally seen on the plant

Use and Management You could not find a more drought tolerant plant for along the coast. Plant sea oats several feet apart to stabilize dunes along the beach. It is illegal to collect plants from the wild without special permits. Place sea oats in an area of the landscape that receives full sun. This plant may be grown throughout Florida.

Pests and Diseases There are no known problems growing sea oats.