Grasses, sedges and rushes can be difficult for even a dedicated botanist to identify. However, one native grass that is easy to identify and plentiful in our woodlands is river oats (Chasmanthium latifolium).

Look for river oats in nutrient-rich soils along stream banks or in bottomland forests throughout North Carolina's coastal plain, piedmont and mountains.

This plant's common names are descriptive of its appearance and favored habitats. "River oats" and "Indian wood oats" describe its favorite habitats -- sunny river banks and the partial shade of bottomland forests. "Spangle grass" and (my personal favorite) "fish-on-a-pole" vividly describe the showy, flat seed heads that dangle from arching stems.

River oats, which blooms in early summer, has by now set its oat-like seeds. This plant, however, really comes into its own in late August and through the fall, when the dangling, flat seed heads turn a bronze to tan brown. These seed heads flutter in the slightest autumn breeze and will delight you when covered with a dusting of winter snow.

This native grass is very easy to grow in a home garden or along a woodland edge. Mature plants are usually 2 to 3 feet tall. You can purchase potted plants or seeds from the N.C. Botanical Garden (there is a self-service plant sale area behind the Totten Center that lasts into October). Once established, river oats will self-seed freely, and you can easily dig up a clump to share with a friend.

River oats is a wonderful addition to any flower arrangement, live or dried. For a live arrangement, clip the arching stems in mid-summer and the seed heads will remain green as long as they are in water. For dried arrangements, wait until early autumn when the seed heads are fully mature and tan to bronze in color. The dried seed heads will remain intact for several months.

If you travel to the North Carolina coast, you can enjoy sea oats, Uniola paniculata, a close relative of river oats. Sea oats grow on primary and secondary dunes on barrier islands and on coastal sand flats and inter-dune swales. Alan Weakley, UNC Herbarium curator, writes: "This is the most important sand-binding grass on ocean dunes from North Carolina south, playing a critical role in primary succession on dunes." However, enjoy sea oats in its native habitat, for it is against the law in North Carolina to pick or destroy sea oats.