Chasmanthium latifolium (Michx.) Yates. Family - Poaceae. Common Name(s) - northern sea oats, Indian woodoats, broadleaf uniola, inland sea oats, river oats, wild oats. Synonym(s) - Uniola latifolia Michx.

Answer

Score

1.01

Is the species highly domesticated? (If answer is 'no' then go to question 2.01)

n

0

1.02

Has the species become naturalized where grown?

1.03

Does the species have weedy races?

2.01

Species suited to tropical or subtropical climate(s) (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) – If island is primarily wet habitat, then substitute “wet tropical” for “tropical or subtropical”

1

2.02

Quality of climate match data (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) see appendix 2

1

2.03

Broad climate suitability (environmental versatility)

y

1

2.04

Native or naturalized in regions with tropical or subtropical climates

n

0

2.05

Does the species have a history of repeated introductions outside its natural range? y=-2

n

3.01

Naturalized beyond native range y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2), n= question 2.05

n

0

3.02

Garden/amenity/disturbance weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

y

1.5

3.03

Agricultural/forestry/horticultural weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n

0

3.04

Environmental weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n

0

3.05

Congeneric weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n

0

4.01

Produces spines, thorns or burrs

n

0

4.02

Allelopathic

n

0

4.03

Parasitic

n

0

4.04

Unpalatable to grazing animals

n

-1

4.05

Toxic to animals

n

0

4.06

Host for recognized pests and pathogens

n

0

4.07

Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans

n

0

4.08

Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems

n

0

4.09

Is a shade tolerant plant at some stage of its life cycle

y

1

4.10

Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions (or limestone conditions if not a volcanic island)

y

1

4.11

Climbing or smothering growth habit

n

0

4.12

Forms dense thickets

y

1

5.01

Aquatic

n

0

5.02

Grass

y

1

5.03

Nitrogen fixing woody plant

n

0

5.04

Geophyte (herbaceous with underground storage organs -- bulbs, corms, or tubers)

n

0

6.01

Evidence of substantial reproductive failure in native habitat

n

0

6.02

Produces viable seed.

y

1

6.03

Hybridizes naturally

n

-1

6.04

Self-compatible or apomictic

y

1

6.05

Requires specialist pollinators

n

0

6.06

Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation

y

1

6.07

Minimum generative time (years) 1 year = 1, 2 or 3 years = 0, 4+ years = -1

1

1

7.01

Propagules likely to be dispersed unintentionally (plants growing in heavily trafficked areas)

n

-1

7.02

Propagules dispersed intentionally by people

y

1

7.03

Propagules likely to disperse as a produce contaminant

y

1

7.04

Propagules adapted to wind dispersal

y

1

7.05

Propagules water dispersed

y

1

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

n

-1

7.07

Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally)

n

-1

7.08

Propagules survive passage through the gut

n

-1

8.01

Prolific seed production (>1000/m2)

y

1

8.02

Evidence that a persistent propagule bank is formed (>1 yr)

8.03

Well controlled by herbicides

8.04

Tolerates, or benefits from, mutilation, cultivation, or fire

n

-1

8.05

Effective natural enemies present locally (e.g. introduced biocontrol agents)

Total score:

8.5

Notes

Reference

1.01

No evidence

1.02

1.03

2.01

(1)Indian wood oats is native to southeastern North America from New Jersey and Pennsylvania west to Kansas and south to central Texas and northern Florida...Hardiness: USDA Zones 4 - 9. (2)The DFWMA encompasses over 4,816 hectares in Creek and Okfuskee counties (96.3692° W to 96.6013°W and 35.7119° N to 35.6257° N;...The study sites are located within the Subtropical Humid (Cf) climate zone...This forest type was common at both DFWMA and EWMA, although its total extent was greater at DFWMA. Common associates included Acer negundo, Ampelopsis arborea, Arisaema dracontium, Carya cordiformis, Chasmanthium latifolium [Native range extends marginally into subtropical areas] (3)Note that cold stratification is not required for seed germination and the plant cannot survive exposure to temperatures below -33°F.

(1)http://www.floridata.com/ref/C/chas_lat.cfm [Accessed 09 May 2008] (2)Hoagland, B. W. and F. L. Johnson. 2005. VASCULAR FLORA OF THE DEEP FORK RIVER IN OKMULGEE, CREEK AND OKFUSKEE COUNTIES, OKLAHOMA. Publications of the Oklahoma Biological Survey 2nd Series Volume 6: 15 29. (3)http://www.gardenguides.com/plants/plant.asp?symbol=CHLA5 [Accessed 13 May 2008]

2.02

The plant has a native range that only marginally reaches subtropical climates.[See 2.01 above]

2.03

(1)Hardiness: USDA Zones 4 - 9.(2)Zone: 3 to 8 (3)Hardiness: USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F) USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F) USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F) USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F) USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F) USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F) USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F) USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F) USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F) USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F) (4)Plant in USDA plant hardiness zones 2 to 9.

(1)http://www.floridata.com/ref/C/chas_lat.cfm [Accessed 09 May 2008] (2)http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/PlantFinder/Plant.asp?code=A240 [Accessed 09 May 2008] (3)http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/798/ [Accessed 09 May 2008] (4)http://www.easywildflowers.com/quality/cha.latif.htm [Accessed 09 May 2008]

2.04

(1)Indian wood oats is native to southeastern North America from New Jersey and Pennsylvania west to Kansas and south to central Texas and northern Florida...Hardiness: USDA Zones 4 - 9. (2)The DFWMA encompasses over 4,816 hectares in Creek and Okfuskee counties (96.3692° W to 96.6013°W and 35.7119° N to 35.6257° N;...The study sites are located within the Subtropical Humid (Cf) climate zone...This forest type was common at both DFWMA and EWMA, although its total extent was greater at DFWMA. Common associates included Acer negundo, Ampelopsis arborea, Arisaema dracontium, Carya cordiformis, Chasmanthium latifolium [Native range extends marginally into subtropical areas] (3)Note that cold stratification is not required for seed germination and the plant cannot survive exposure to temperatures below -33°F.

(1)http://www.floridata.com/ref/C/chas_lat.cfm [Accessed 09 May 2008] (2)Hoagland, B. W. and F. L. Johnson. 2005. VASCULAR FLORA OF THE DEEP FORK RIVER IN OKMULGEE, CREEK AND OKFUSKEE COUNTIES, OKLAHOMA. Publications of the Oklahoma Biological Survey 2nd Series Volume 6: 15-29. (3)http://www.gardenguides.com/plants/plant.asp?symbol=CHLA5 [Accessed 13 May 2008]

2.05

(1)Introduced to British Isles. (2)Introduced to New Zealand for horticultural purposes [No other indications that this species has been widely planted outside its native range with the exception of a few botanical gardens]

(1)Ryves, T.B., Clement, E.J. and Foster, M.C. (1996) Alien Grasses of the British Isles. Botanical Society of the British Isles, London. (2)http://www.nzpcn.org.nz/exotic_plant_life_and_weeds/detail.asp?WeedID=2568 [Accessed 13 May 2008]

3.01

(1)casual alien in the British Isles [not sufficient evidence of naturalization]

(1)http://www.hear.org/gcw/species/chasmanthium_latifolium/ [Accessed 13 May 2008]

3.02

(1)Horrible re-seeder here. Did not exhibit this for about five years. Now it is everywhere and contrary to one of the other reviews, it is NOT easy to remove unless you spot it when it first sends up a teeny shoot. After that, it gets very fibrous anchors of roots. This and Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocolate' are the worst offenders I have in my garden. Would not wish them on anyone. [Comment from gardener in Lower Hudson Valley, NY suggests this plant could become a garden problem] (2)C. latifolium listed as a weed [no information on impacts] (3)"I get a kick out of people who argue the merits of native plants on their lack of invasive tendencies. While it is easier to name exotic thugs, we have a few of our own that wear invasiveness with pride, and this is one of them…the grasses roaming tendencies are furthered by reseeding, which results in many plants where you want them and an equal number where you don't. The seeds are mainly windblown; plants can be found fairly close to each other but far enough away to call them weeds." [fairly specific description of how this plant can become a weed in gardens and landscapes] (4)"Northern sea oats is a robust, true grass that is well adapted to moderate shade. I have had to remove dozens of new plants from my garden, as this species self-sows readily." [escapes in garden settings and is subject to control] (5)"Northern sea oats will form a colony if you let it, and in my experience it readily self-seeds (I've had it pop up in unexpected places in my garden)."

(1)http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/798/ [Accessed 09 May 2008] (2)Randall, R. P. 2007. The introduced flora of Australia and its weed status.CRC for Australian Weed Management. (3)Armitage, A. M. 2006. Armitage's Native Plants for North American Gardens. Timber Press. Portland, OR. (4)Leopold, D. J. 2005. Native Plants of the Northeast: A Guide for Gardening & Conservation. Timber Press. Portland, OR. (5)Tenenbaum, F. and J. Pavia. 2006. Gardening at the Shore. Timber Press. Portland, OR.

3.03

No evidence

3.04

No evidence

3.05

No evidence

4.01

(1)No evidence

(1)Yates, H. O. 1966. Revision of Grasses Traditionally Referred to Uniola, II. Chasmanthium. The Southwestern Naturalist 11(4): 415-455.

4.02

(1)Toxic to Nearby Plants: No (2)Known Allelopath No

(1)http://www.gardenguides.com/plants/plant.asp?symbol=CHLA5 [Accessed 13 May 2008] (2)http://plants.usda.gov/java/charProfile?symbol=CHLA5 [Accessed 13 May 2008]

4.03

No evidence

4.04

(1)Suitability/Use…Palatable Browse Animal: High; Palatable Graze Animal High (2)Forage Value: fair to good for livestock and wildlife, produces an adequate quantity when the stand has significant size

(1)http://plants.usda.gov/java/charProfile?symbol=CHLA5 [Accessed 13 May 2008] (2)Stubbendieck, J., C. H Butterfield , S. L Hatch and B. P Jansen. 1992. North American Range Plants. University of Nebraska Press. Lincoln, NE.

4.05

(1)Toxicity None

(1)http://plants.usda.gov/java/charProfile?symbol=CHLA5 [Accessed 13 May 2008]

4.06

(1)No serious insect or disease problems. May need staking or other support. (2)Pests: No major animal pest problems, No major disease problems

(1)http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/PlantFinder/Plant.asp?code=A240 [Accessed 09 May 2008] (2)https://appserver1.kwantlen.ca/apps/plantid/plantid.nsf/lookup/2A483266021C9CEA88256F02006440C0?OpenDocument [Accessed 13 May 2008]

4.07

(1)Toxicity None

(1)http://plants.usda.gov/java/charProfile?symbol=CHLA5 [Accessed 13 May 2008]

4.08

(1)In Texas, this species is very common on loamy, terrace soils adjacent to creeks, bayous and rivers in eastern Texas, particularly under a hardwood forest canopy...It is quite common in river bottoms of the Western Gulf Coast Prairie. (2)Wildoat grows on river and stream banks and in moist woodlands. [No evidence that this species promotes fire, and unlikely to carry fire in riparian habitats]

(1)http://www.easywildflowers.com/quality/cha.latif.htm [Accessed 09 May 2008] (2)http://www.naturalheritage.state.pa.us/factsheets/15537.pdf [Accessed 13 May 2008]

4.09

(1)Light: Full sun or partial shade. Indian wood oats grows more upright and not as tall in full sun...They do well in shade, but even better in full sun. (2)One of the more shade tolerant of the ornamental grasses.

(1)http://www.floridata.com/ref/C/chas_lat.cfm [Accessed 09 May 2008] (2)http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/PlantFinder/Plant.asp?code=A240 [Accessed 09 May 2008]

4.10

(1)Tolerant of poor soils, but prefers moist, fertile soils. (2)Soil pH requirements: 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral) (3)An abundance of Chasmanthium latifolium is usually a good indicator of a Class I or II soil; though, it will grow on wet natured clayey soils. (4)Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)...Soil Description: Moist, loamy, well-drained soils. Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay (5)pH Range: 5–7 pH. (6)Easy to grow in any soil in shady areas.

(1)http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/PlantFinder/Plant.asp?code=A240 [Accessed 09 May 2008] (2)http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/798/ [Accessed 09 May 2008] (3)http://www.easywildflowers.com/quality/cha.latif.htm [Accessed 09 May 2008] (4)http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=CHLA5 [Accessed 09 May 2008] (5)http://www.gardenguides.com/plants/plant.asp?symbol=CHLA5 [Accessed 13 May 2008] (6)Garrett, H. 1996. Howard Garrett's Plants for Texas. University of Texas Press. Austin, TX.

4.11

(1)This is a 2-4 ft., clump-forming, perennial grass bearing large, drooping, oat-like flower spikelets from slender, arching branches.

(1)http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=CHLA5 [Accessed 09 May 2008]

4.12

(1)Inland sea oats makes a solid mat in moist loams and has been planted to help stabilize sandy dunes. It may self-sow somewhat in the garden. [Suggests capability of forming monocultures that could exclude other vegetation] (2)Growth:RAPID GROWTH, LONG-LIVED, DENSE STAND-FORMING, SHALLOW ROOTED.(3)Bottomland forest of western hackberry, sugarberry (Celtis laevigata), and American elm (Ulmus americana) with an understory almost exclusively of broad-leaf wood oats (Uniola latifolia= Chasmanthium latifolium) [Image of solid C. latifolium understory]

(1)http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=CHLA5 [Accessed 09 May 2008] (2)http://tpid.tpwd.state.tx.us/species_report.asp?species=63 [Accessed 14 May 2008] (3)http://www.tarleton.edu/~range/Woodlands%20and%20Forest/Southern%20and%20Central/southernandcentral.htm [Accessed 14 May 2008]

5.01

(1)Native Habitat: Shaded slopes; low thickets; stream banks [not truly aquatic]

(1)http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=CHLA5 [Accessed 09 May 2008]

5.02

Poaceae

5.03

Poaceae

5.04

(1)Propagated by Bulb No Propagated by Container No Propagated by Corm No

(1)http://plants.usda.gov/java/charProfile?symbol=CHLA5 [Accessed 13 May 2008]

6.01

(1)"the species exhibits a high degree of fertility, all or nearly all of the florets regularly setting grains."

(1)Yates, H. O. 1966. Revision of Grasses Traditionally Referred to Uniola, II. Chasmanthium. The Southwestern Naturalist 11(4): 415-455.

6.02

(1)Plant seeds any time. In moist soils, wood oats will self-sow and can even become a little invasive. (2)self-seeds and may become invasive.

(1)http://www.floridata.com/ref/C/chas_lat.cfm [Accessed 09 May 2008] (2)http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/PlantFinder/Plant.asp?code=A240 [Accessed 09 May 2008]

6.03

(1)"The second group, exemplified by Uniola laxa and including U. latifolia, U. sessilifolia, U. nitida and U. ornithorhyncha, consists of soft-textured plants…This group also includes a naturally occurring putative hybrid between Uniola ornithorhyncha and U. laxa." [Uniola = Chasmanthium. C. latifolium is a widespread, well-documented and studied species with no evidence of natural hybridization despite other evidence of hybridization within genus]

(1)Yates, H. O. 1966. Morphology and Cytology of Uniola (Gramineae) The Southwestern Naturalist 11(2): 145-189.

6.04

(1)"Both chasmogamous and cleistogamous flowers are produced…The two plumose stigmas and the single stamen are exserted at anthesis, and the stigmas appear to be receptive to pollen from the same flower…Although the chasmogamous flowers appear often to be sef-pollinated, if the plants are in close proximity, one cannot rule out the possibility that cross pollination occurs. Experimentally isolated panicles were found to set abundant seeds. Cleistogamous flowers are presumably self-pollinated."

(1)Yates, H. O. 1966. Revision of Grasses Traditionally Referred to Uniola, II. Chasmanthium. The Southwestern Naturalist 11(4): 415-455.

6.05

(1)The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Wind.

(1)http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Chasmanthium+latifolium [Accessed 13 May 2008]

6.06

(1)Reproduces from rhizomes and seeds, forms large colonies. (2)Habit: Tall, colonial grass, spreading by rhizomes. (3)Vigorous rhizomes help plants colonize an area…

(1)Stubbendieck, J., C. H Butterfield , S. L Hatch and B. P Jansen. 1992. North American Range Plants. University of Nebraska Press. Lincoln, NE. (2)Anonymous. 1997. Common Wetland Plants of North Carolina. Report # 97-01. North Carolina Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources Division of Water Quality. Raleigh, NC. Available from http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/esb/Wetplant/wetplant.pdf [Accessed 14 May 2008] (3)Armitage, A. M. 2006. Armitage's Native Plants for North American Gardens. Timber Press. Portland, OR.

6.07

(1)Flowers first year from seed sown indoors early. (2)"Seedlings develop rapidly under greenhouse conditions, flower and set seeds within approximately five months."

(1)http://www.robsplants.com/plants/ChasmLatif.php [Accessed 09 May 2008] (2)Yates, H. O. 1966. Revision of Grasses Traditionally Referred to Uniola, II. Chasmanthium. The Southwestern Naturalist 11(4): 415-455.

7.01

No means of external attachment, although relatively small seeds in muddy, riparian habitats suggest this species could be dispersed unintentionally (by sticking to shoes, equipment, animals in mud)

7.02

(1)Use Indian wood oats as a ground cover in shady areas, in the open woodland garden, or as a specimen grass in a perennial border or under a large tree. They do well in shade, but even better in full sun. The dried flowerheads are highly prized for arrangements, and they last indefinitely. [numerous references to plant as an ornamental and for use in dried flower arrangments]

(1)http://www.floridata.com/ref/C/chas_lat.cfm [Accessed 09 May 2008]

7.03

(1)One of the more shade tolerant of the ornamental grasses. self-seeds and may become invasive…Excellent for dried flower arrangements. (2)A unique cut flower in fresh or dry arrangements. [popularity of this species in dried floral arrangements increases risk of seed spread]

(1)http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/PlantFinder/Plant.asp?code=A240 [Accessed 13 May 2008] (2)http://www.northcreeknurseries.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/plants.plantDetail/plant_id/367/index.htm [Accessed 14 May 2008]

7.04

(1)"…the grasses roaming tendencies are furthered by reseeding, which results in many plants where you want them and an equal number where you don't. The seeds are mainly windblown; plants can be found fairly close to each other but far enough away to call them weeds."

(1)Armitage, A. M. 2006. Armitage's Native Plants for North American Gardens. Timber Press. Portland, OR.

7.05

(1)In Texas, this species is very common on loamy, terrace soils adjacent to creeks, bayous and rivers in eastern Texas, particularly under a hardwood forest canopy...It is quite common in river bottoms of the Western Gulf Coast Prairie. (2)Wildoat grows on river and stream banks and in moist woodlands. (3)Habitat: Stream and river banks, low woods and shaded slopes throughout the state. [recurring mention of riparian habitats suggests that this species is dispersed by water as well as wind]

(1)http://www.easywildflowers.com/quality/cha.latif.htm [Accessed 09 May 2008] (2)http://www.naturalheritage.state.pa.us/factsheets/15537.pdf [Accessed 13 May 2008] (3)Anonymous. 1997. Common Wetland Plants of North Carolina. Report # 97-01. North Carolina Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources Division of Water Quality. Raleigh, NC. Available from http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/esb/Wetplant/wetplant.pdf [Accessed 14 May 2008]

7.06

(1)They also provide fall and winter seeds for a number of birds including cardinals, towhees, juncos, sparrows and finches...Provides nest sites, protective cover and food for birds (2)Wildlife Value Provides cover, and seeds are eaten by birds in winter. [birds are seed predators rather than dispersal agents]

(1)http://www.abnativeplants.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=plants.plantDetail&plant_id=42 [Accessed 14 May 2008] (2)http://www.growingwildnursery.net/index.php?pr=Chasmanthium_latifol. [Accessed 14 May 2008]

7.07

No means of external attachment [although possibly dispersed in mud sticking to animals as species is common in wet, riparian areas]

7.08

No evidence and seeds are depredated by birds [rather than swallowed whole. See 7.06]

8.01

(1)Fruit/Seed Abundance: High (2)Spikelets have 9-26 florets and are broad and flattened. They range in lengths of 1.5-4 cm and widths of 1-2 cm. Glumes and lemmas overlap; however, the glumes are smaller than the lemmas. The glumes are 7-9 nerved, keels rough to the touch, and range in lengths of 5-8 mm. The lemmas are 9-15 nerved, keels rough to the touch, and range in lengths of 8-13mm. Paleas are 6-10 mm long with thin and dry margins. Caryopsis is flat, oval in shape and range in lengths of 4-5 mm. [Photographic evidence suggests that the "typical" plant can produce 10s-100s of spikelets, each with 9-26 florets, for a potential of 100s-1000s of seeds per plant]

(1)http://www.gardenguides.com/plants/plant.asp?symbol=CHLA5 [Accessed 13 May 2008] (2)http://plants.usda.gov/java/charProfile?symbol=CHLA5 [Accessed 13 May 2008]

8.02

(1)Storage Behaviour: Orthodox p; Storage Conditions: Seeds maintained for 2-3 years in commercial storage conditions [storage behavior suggests seed viability in field settings would produce a seed bank, but no specific information was found]

(1)http://data.kew.org/sid/SidServlet?ID=2191&Num=95O [Accessed 14 May 2008]

8.03

Don't know [Probably controlled by a non-specific herbicide such as glyphosate, but since information for this taxon comes from within its native range, no information on its control was found]

8.04

(1)Cut old foliage to the ground in spring before new growth begins. For mass plantings, set plants 2 ft (0.6 m) apart. The clumps expand slowly and are not at all aggressive. In fact, the clumps should be divided every few years as their vigor diminishes. (2)After-Harvest Resprout Ability:No; Responds to Coppicing: No...Fire Resistant: No

(1)http://www.floridata.com/ref/C/chas_lat.cfm [Accessed 09 May 2008] (2)http://plants.usda.gov/java/charProfile?symbol=CHLA5 [Accessed 13 May 2008]

8.05

Don't know