Chasmanthium latifolium, known as fish-on-a-fishing-pole, northern wood-oats, inland sea oats, northern sea oats, and river oats is a species of grass native to the central and eastern United States, Manitoba, and northeastern Mexico; it grows as far north as Pennsylvania and Michigan, where it is a threatened species. The species was previously classified as Uniola latifolia (André Michaux).

Description

Chasmanthium latifolium is a cool-season, rhizomatous, perennial grass with culms about 1 m [3 feet] tall. The inflorescence is an open, nodding panicle of laterally compressed (flattened) spikelets. The plant typically grows in wooded areas and riparian zones.

Gardens

It is used in landscaping in North America, where it is noted as a relatively rare native grass that thrives in partial shade; the plant is recommended for USDA hardiness zones 3–9 in acidic sands, loams, and clays.

Ecology

It is a larval host plant for the Northern Pearly-Eye, and its seeds are food for birds and mammals. It is also eaten by the caterpillars of the pepper and salt skipper, Bell's roadside skipper, and bronzed roadside skipper butterflies.