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Uniola paniculata - L.

Common Name Sea Oats, Sea Oats Grass
Family Poaceae or Gramineae
USDA hardiness 7-11
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Sandhills and drifting sands on the coast[43]. Also found on salt flats[200].
Range Eastern N. America - Virginia to Texas and Mexico.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Uniola paniculata Sea Oats, Sea Oats Grass


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Uniola paniculata Sea Oats, Sea Oats Grass
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Summary

Bloom Color: Brown. Main Bloom Time: Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Upright or erect.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
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.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seed
Edible Uses:

Seed - cooked and eaten as a cereal[177, 183]. Said to have a very good flavour[183]. Seed production in the wild is generally poor[270].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Soil stabilization

The spreading root system of this plant make it useful for stabilizing drifting coastal sand dunes[1, 200, 236].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Erosion control, Ground cover, Seashore. Prefers a moist sandy soil, tolerating some shade[200]. Tolerates maritime exposure and saline soils[200]. An invasive plant, spreading freely by means of its rhizomes[236], but it is very ornamental[200]. and is well worth a place in the garden. Special Features:North American native, Naturalizing, Attractive flowers or blooms.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Propagation

Seed - sow early spring in situ and only just cover the seed[1]. Division in spring[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

43200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Ken Fern, Plants for a Future   Fri Dec 28 2007

I'm not sure where to buy seeds from in America, but plants can be obtained from Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, 3333 Sanibel-Captiva Road P.O. Box 839, Sanibel, Florida 33957. Web site http://www.sccf.org/Index.htm

Greg Weymann   Thu Dec 27 2007

Where can one purchase the seeds? We are on Pensacola Bay and need plants to hold the backyard against possible future storms. Thank you for your time.

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Subject : Uniola paniculata  
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