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Resources < Wildlife Habitats < Native Plants < Native Plant Database < Chasmanthium latifolium
Chasmanthium latifolium is known by many common names—riveroats, woodoats, Indian woodoats, wildoats, northern seaoats, upland seaoats, broadleaf uniola—but to me, the most apt and evocative of all its names is spangle grass. This is a plant with a whole lot of flash. In fall, its bright, coppery, oat-like seed heads twinkle in the sunlight and flutter with every breeze. The seed heads also provide much-needed winter interest in the garden; after they’ve sparkled their way through autumn, they persist—faded, ethereal, ghostlike—until spring.
A lot of grasses that really show off in fall and winter seem to like to blend into the background in summer. Well, spangle grass doesn’t do that; it’s eye-catching all year round. In the warm months its soft, bamboo-like leaves create a tropical effect. The leaves are lime-green in full sun and darker green in shade. Its form is graceful and arching, loose and airy, and clumps usually grow about waist-high. Dangling pale green flowers appear in May or June.
Spangle grass is a very vigorous plant that spreads by short rhizomes and readily self-sows—especially if the soil is rich and moist and plenty of sun is available. If you don’t want to see a lot of “babies” popping up, site your spangle grass in dry shade. If that’s not an option, you can always remove the seed heads in fall—they’re gorgeous in bouquets and dried arrangements.
Poaceae (Grass Family)
Perennial clump-forming grass with wide, pointed leaves 5 to 9" long and 1" across. Nodding, flattened seed heads are green in summer and copper-colored in fall. Leaves turn golden after frost.
2 to 5’ high and 1 to 2’ wide.
Grows in loose, upright to arching clumps.
Fast. Readily self-sows in moist soils and plenty of sunlight.
Full sun to part shade. This is one of the best ornamental grasses for shady spots.
Though plants thrive in sun and moist, rich soil, they are tolerant of shade, drought, and poor soil. Cut old growth to the ground in early spring, before new growth begins. Divide every few years.
Assets include wide, soft, tapered leaves and lavish clusters of oat-like seed heads.
Use in mass plantings or as a specimen. This grass also works well in containers and is especially effective near a water feature.
Provides cover and nesting spots. Birds eat the seeds.
Found throughout Georgia in rich, moist woods, especially along rivers and streams.
Divide clumps in spring. Easily started from seed.
Text and photo by Leslie Kimel, Georgia Wildlife Federation
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Riveroats
