# Chasmanthium latifolium

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

Chasmanthium latifolium is a cool-season, rhizomatous, perennial grass with culms about 1 m [3 feet] tall. The inflorescence is an open, nodding panicle of laterally compressed (flattened) spikelets. The plant typically grows in wooded areas and riparian zones.

## Distribution

Chasmanthium latifolium is native to the lower forty-eight states.
In the arid west Chasmanthium latifolium is equally likely to be found in wetlands and non-wetland areas. In the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain Chasmanthium latifolium is equally likely to be found in wetlands and non-wetland areas. In the Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Chasmanthium latifolium is equally likely to be found in wetlands and non-wetland areas. In the Eastern Mountains and Piedmont Chasmanthium latifolium usually occurs in non-wetlands. In the Great Plains Chasmanthium latifolium usually occurs in non-wetlands. In the Midwest Chasmanthium latifolium usually occurs in wetlands. In the Northcentral and Northeast Chasmanthium latifolium usually occurs in wetlands.
In Mississippi Chasmanthium 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.

## Ecology

Chasmanthium latifolium is wind-pollinated like most of the Poaceae family. 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 Chasmanthium latifolium along the range edge makes Chasmanthium latifolium more susceptible to climate change and disease.
The optimal growing temperature for Chasmanthium latifolium is 25 C. At 13 C Chasmanthium latifolium can no longer grow.
Chasmanthium latifolium is a salt-tolerant species. The shoot growth of Chasmanthium latifolium 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.
Chasmanthium latifolium is a shade-tolerant plant and maintains a positive carbon uptake in dense canopies. Chasmanthium latifolium continues carbon fixation at levels 10 times lower than other C$_4$ grasses and light levels 80% less than their saturation point.
It is a larval host plant for the Northern Pearly-Eye, and its seeds are food for birds and mammals. It is also eaten by the caterpillars of the pepper and salt skipper, Bell's roadside skipper, and bronzed roadside skipper butterflies.
Chasmanthium latifolium is a fire-adapted grass best adapted to a low frequency of fire. Chasmanthium latifolium increases in abundance after one fire but decreases in abundance with repeated burning.

## Gardens

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.Chasmanthium latifolium blooms in the late summer to early fall between the months of August and September. Chasmanthium latifolium is recommended southeastern rain gardens where intermittent flooding may be present. Chasmanthium latifolium 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.

## 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"

## Threats

Chasmanthium latifolium is negatively impacted by invasive species like Lespedeza cuneata. Chasmanthium latifolium is at risk due to overuse of herbicides like glyphosate. Chasmanthium latifolium is also affected by applications of topramezone 0.05 kg a.i./ha or greater.

## Uses

Chasmanthium latifolium has historically been used by the Cocopah Nation as a food source. The Cocopah Nation would harvest, dry, and grind the seed heads and then mix them with water to make a rudimentary dough.
Chasmanthium latifolium is used on green roofs in Korea. Chasmanthium latifolium best performs on flat roofs.
Chasmanthium latifolium is planted as a perennial cool-season grass on old logging trails and landings to prevent erosion and provide wildlife habitat.