Table B-2. Characteristics of sea oats, 



Category 



Characteristics 



Growth habit 



Seed head 



Seed 

 (spikelets) 



Stems 

 (culms) 



Leaves 



Perennial grass growing in large clumps more than 1 

 foot in diameter; base of plant typically buried in 

 sand (Fig. B-2,c) . 



Seed head is large and distinctive (Fig. B-2, a); 10 



to 15 inches long and 3 to 5 inches (8 to 13 centimeters) 



wide; branched; drooping; yellow colored. 



Seed in discrete groups of 10 to 21; each group is flat 

 and oval, 1/4 to 1/2 inch (0.6 to 1.3 centimeters) wide 

 and 3/4 to 1 inch (1.8 to 2.5 centimeters) long (Fig. 

 B-2,b). 



Stems from bunches attached to horizontal rootstock 

 (rhizomes); erect and rigid 3 to 8 feet (0.9 to 2.4 

 meters) in height. 



Most leaves arise from the base of the plant, densely 

 overlapping, and with fewer leaves along the stem; leaves 

 are flat at base becoming more rolled (involute) near 

 the ends; leaves about 1/4 inch (0.6 centimeter) wide, 

 gradually narrowing into a long slender tip; leaves up 

 to 3 feet (0.9 meter) in length; the tips of drier leaves 

 are zigzagged, wa'vy, or curled in appearance (Fig. B-2, 

 c). 



