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.

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

Taxonomy It was first described as Uniola latifolia by André Michaux in 1803.Michaux, André. (1803). Flora boreali-americana, sistens caracteres plantarum quas in America septentrionali collegit et detexit Andreas Michaux (Vol. 1, p. 70). apud fratres Levrault. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/404833Uniola latifolia Michx. (n.d.). International Plant Names Index. Retrieved September 10, 2026, from https://www.ipni.org/n/259471-2 It was moved to the genus Chasmanthium as Chasmanthium latifolium by Harris Oliver Yates in 1966.Chasmanthium latifolium (Michx.) H.O.Yates. (n.d.-b). International Plant Names Index. Retrieved September 10, 2026, from https://www.ipni.org/n/55649-2 Etymology The genus name, Chasmanthium, has Greek origins and can be broken down into two parts. Chasme means "gaping" and anthemum means flower. The specific epithet can be translated to "broad-leaved".

Distribution and habitat Chasmanthium latifolium is native to the lower forty-eight states.

In the arid west, Atlantic, Gulf Coastal Plain, Western mountains, valleys, and coast, C. latifolium is equally likely to be found in wetlands and non-wetland areas. In the Eastern mountains (Piedmont) and Great Plains, C. latifolium usually occurs in non-wetlands. In the Midwest, Northcentral and Northeast, C. latifolium usually occurs in wetlands.

In Mississippi, C. latifolium is a common species found in the river bank community, which is found between the start of the water and the high water mark. Here, the substrate is frequently disturbed and is made of sand, acidic soils, and rocky outcrops.Majure, Lucas C. “THE VASCULAR FLORA OF THE CHUNKY RIVER (MISSISSIPPI).” Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas, vol. 1, no. 2, 2007, pp. 1179–202. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/41971547. Accessed 25 Oct. 2024.

Ecology Like most of the Poaceae family, Chasmanthium latifolium is wind-pollinated. Limited pollination range has significantly reduced gene transfer along the range edge, thus lowering genetic diversity. This low genetic diversity and lack of gene transfer between populations of C. latifolium along the range edge makes it more susceptible to climate change and disease.Hayes, Jonathan D., "Genetic Diversity & Connectivity of Chasmanthium latifolium (Poaceae) in Pennsylvania & the Effect on Conservation Status of a Rare Species" (2021). Honors Theses. 577. https://digitalcommons.bucknell.edu/honors_theses/577

The optimal growing temperature for C. latifolium is . At , the plant can no longer grow.Harvey, Michael P., and Mark H. Brand. "Growth and macronutrient accumulation of Chasmanthium latifolium (Michx.) Yates and Hakonechloa macra makino'Aureola'in response to temperature." HortScience 37.5 (2002): 765-767.

C. latifolium is a salt-tolerant species. Its shoot growth is not affected by salinity levels up to an electrical conductivity of 10.0 dS/m. Root growth increased at salinity levels of electrical conductivity of 5.0 dS/m and greater.

C. latifolium is a shade-tolerant plantNorcini, Jeffrey G., Mack Thetford, and James H. Aldrich. "Evaluation of grasses native to Florida under low input conditions." Southern Nursery Assn. Res. Conf. Proc. 46. 2001.Wilson, Carl Richard, and S. Brown. Ornamental grasses. Colorado State University Cooperative Extension, 1999. and maintains a positive carbon uptake in dense canopies. It continues carbon fixation at levels 10 times lower than other C4 grasses and light levels 80% less than their saturation point.

Its seeds are eaten by birds and mammals. The northern pearly-eye uses it as a larval host plant. It is also eaten by the caterpillars of the pepper and salt skipper, Bell's roadside skipper,Bess, James, and O. T. I. S. Enterprises. "Conservation Assessment for Bell's Roadside Skipper (Amblyscirtes belli Freeman)" (2005). and bronzed roadside skipper butterflies.

C. latifolium is a fire-adapted grass best adapted to a low frequency of fire. It increases in abundance after one fire but decreases in abundance with repeated burning.Alice Long Heikens, et al. “Short-Term Response of Chert and Shale Barrens Vegetation to Fire in Southwestern Illinois.” Castanea, vol. 59, no. 3, 1994, pp. 274–85. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/4033698. Accessed 25 Oct. 2024.

Conservation Chasmanthium latifolium is negatively impacted by invasive species like Lespedeza cuneata. It is at risk due to overuse of herbicides like glyphosate.Matthew S. Hodges and Carol Goodwillie "Investigating the Role of Soil Legacy Effects in the Management of Lespedeza cuneata, an Invasive Legume," Natural Areas Journal 43(2), 124-134, (19 April 2023). https://doi.org/10.3375/0885-8608-43.2.124 It is also affected by applications of topramezone 0.05 kg a.i./ha or greater.Marble, S. Christopher, Matthew T. Elmore, and James T. Brosnan. "Tolerance of Native and Ornamental Grasses to Over-the-top Applications of Topramezone Herbicide". HortScience horts 53.6 (2018): 842-849. < https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI12989-18>. Web. 25 Oct. 2024.

Uses

It is used in landscaping in North America, where it is noted as a native grass that thrives in partial shade; the plant is recommended for USDA hardiness zones 3–9 in acidic sands, loams, and clays. C. latifolium blooms in the late summer to early fall between the months of August and September. C. latifolium is recommended in southeastern rain gardens where intermittent flooding may be present.Morash, Jennifer Dawn. Flooding tolerance of six native landscape plants for use in southeastern rain gardens. MS thesis. Auburn University, 2016. It can be slow to emerge and take at least one year to establish. Once established, C. latifolium can have a dry matter yield of up to 6,019 pounds per acre.Brakie, Melinda. "Adaptation of Perennial Native Cool Season Grasses in East Texas."

Chasmanthium latifolium has historically been used by the Cocopah Nation as a food source. They would harvest, dry, and grind the seed heads and then mix them with water to make a rudimentary dough.Schnelle, Michael A. "Selective native plants of Oklahoma and nearby states that can be a nuisance to occasionally invasive." HortTechnology 31.4 (2021): 343-353.

In Korea, C. latifolium is used on green roofs and best performs on flat roofs.

C. latifolium is planted as a perennial cool-season grass on old logging trails and landings to prevent erosion and provide wildlife habitat.

References

External links USDA Plant Profile Chasmanthium latifolium