Family: Poaceae

Form: An upright herbaceous, perennial, dune grass spread by underground rhizomes

Leaves: Simple, parallel, entire, thin, tapering into pointed tips; monocotyledonous

Stem/Bark: Culms are smooth, green to tan, and clumping, 2 to 3 feet high, rhizomatious

Flower: Tiny insignificant flowers on very showy narrow panicle

Fruit: One-seeded caryopsis; large flat seed head; straw colored spikelets with multiple florets

Comments: Sea Oats are very important in the stabilization of coastal dunes.  Sea Oats can be easily distinguished from other native grasses by their characteristic panicle.  They are a protected plant in Florida