Uniola paniculata L.

Sea Oats

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Sea Oats is a native perennial clump-forming member of the Grass family (Poaceae). It can be found in the coastal counties of Alabama. Sea Oats grow on dunes along the coast and act as an important agent in dune formation and stabilization. It is a perennial from coarse rhizomes. Leaves are basal, linear, and have blades 2-2.5 feet in length. Leaf sheaths are glabrous and the collar is ciliate. Flowers are produced in spikelets arranged in drooping panicles. The panicles are held above the foliage. Sea Oat leaves trap wind-blown sand and organic matter, promoting dune formation and growth. The rhizomes and deep roots of Sea Oats help stabilize the dunes. Sea Oats are important in preventing erosion, lessening storm surge, and provide habitat for a number of animal species. Act 971 of the Alabama Legislature passed in 1973 makes it "unlawful and a misdemeanor for any person to pick wild sea oats." Sea Oats are occasionally available from nurseries, especially those that specialize in plants for coastal areas. Sea Oats are drought and saline tolerant, and can survive brief inundations of salt water.—A. Diamond

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Native FACU (NWPL)

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