Sea Oats (Uniola paniculata) is a long lived, slow growing, warm season, perennial grass commonly associated with the upper dunes along beach fronts. Sea oats is very drought tolerant, will tolerate salt spray and produces a massive root system. It prefers full sun and thrives in areas with blowing sand. It is an important contributor to the stabilization of protective sand dunes along the coast.
Sand dunes provide natural protection against storm surge and high waves, preventing or reducing coastal flooding and structural damage. They are also an important ecological habitat for wildlife and plants. Dunes also act as sand storage areas, resupplying sand to eroded beaches. Photo © copyright by Dr. Edward Mikol.