Chasmanthium latifolium

(Michx.) H. O. Yates

North American wild oats

Poaceae Edible: Seeds, Cereal 30,908 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

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

A grass. It grows 90-100 cm high and spreads 30-40 cm wide. The leaves are broad and bright green. The flowers are in drooping heads like oats.

This description is brief — help expand it

Edible Uses

The seed is edible once cooked and can be used as a cereal for making bread and biscuits, or ground into flour and prepared as a mush. It was used as a food crop by the Cocopa Indians of Mexico.

Traditional Uses

The seeds are used for flour or bread.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known.

Distribution

It needs to be in moist soil. It can grow in full or part sun. It grows along streams. It suits hardiness zones 4-11.

Where It Grows

Australia, Canada, Central America, Mexico, North America, Tasmania, USA,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seed or by division.

Propagation

Sow seed in early spring directly in situ, barely covering it. Plants can also be propagated by division in spring.

Other Uses

The dried flower heads are sometimes used in flower arranging and are suitable for use as cut or dried flowers.

Notes

There are 6 Chasmanthium species.

Synonyms

Uniola latifolia

Also Known As

Indian woodoats, Sea oats, Spangle grass

References (6)

Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 368
Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 66
Jackes, D. A., Edible Forest Gardens
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
Ryan, S., 2008, Dicksonia. Rare Plants Manual. Hyland House. p 89

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