Chasmanthium latifolium (Michx.) H.O. Yates

River Oats

© DETenaglia

Family - Poaceae/Centotheceae

Stems - No info. yet.

Leaves - No info. yet.

	Leaf base.
© DETenaglia

	Ligule.
© DETenaglia

Inflorescence - No info. yet.

	Maturing inflorescence
© SRTurner

Flowers - No info. yet.

© DETenaglia

	Spikelets, with caryopses visible.
© SRTurner

Flowering - June - October.

Habitat - Alluvial soils, mesic bottoms, moist bluffs, rich woods.

Origin - Native to U.S.

Other info. - This striking grass can be found throughout much of Missouri but is apparently absent from the northwest and extreme southeast corners of the state. This species is probably the easiest of all the grasses to identify because of its drooping inflorescences and compressed spikelets. The spikelets turn a nice golden-brown color in the fall and are excellent for dried flower arrangements. The plant is also sold for cultivation and takes little care once established. It grows well from seed.

Photographs taken at Logan Creek, Reynolds County, MO., 7-7-03 (DETenaglia); also at Shaw Nature Reserve, 10-1-2007 (SRTurner).