Chasmanthium latifolium

Indian woodoats, spikegrass

Poaceae (Gramineae)

Plant Specifics

Form:

grass

Size:

2-4 ft

Life Span:

short-lived perennial

Flower Color:

green

Fruit Color:

brown

Phenology:

winter dormant

Noted For:

Showy Fruits

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Groundcover or border plant in shady areas.

Considerations:

It reseeds easily and can expand aggressively.

Light:

Part Sun, Shade

Moisture Tolerance:

Usually moist, occasional inundation ---- to ---- Not wet but not extremely dry

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Loam

Suitable to Grow In:

Ecology

Wildlife:

Caterpillars, Birds, Mammals

Larval host for pepper and salt skipper ( Amblyscirtes hegon ), common roadside skipper ( Amblyscirtes vialis ), and Bell's roadside skipper ( Amblyscirtes belli ).  Possible host for Carolina satyr ( Hermeuptychia sosybius ).

Birds and other wildlife consume seed.

Native Habitats:

Dry-moist sites. Bluffs, floodplains, wet hammocks.