Fairly common in the southeast in low damp open woods, stream margins, and ditches, River Oats is an attractive, upright, arching grass resembling the Sea Oats of southern sand dunes. In full sun, it grows 3 feet tall with leaves 1/2 inch wide. In some shade, expect taller plants that may need some staking. The flower/seed heads of River Oats which are effective from midsummer through mid-fall. Long, oblong, 3 by 1/2 inch wide spikelets with a distinct herringbone pattern are paper flat and pendant on thread-like pedicels. These appear in arching sprays above the foliage. Summer color is medium green turning to yellow then brown in fall. Grow River Oats in sun to part shade and dry to wet conditions. It spreads moderately by rhizomes and also naturalizes by seed.

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