Knowledgebase

Identify grain like weed with flat seed head #941867

Asked August 08, 2026, 11:37 AM EDT

Please identify this plant. It is about 2ft tall, and grows in loose patches.

Howard County Maryland

Expert Response

Grass ID relies on a variety of traits not always easy to photograph or see without magnification (and which we can't see in the pictures), but the seed heads resemble River Oats (also called Inland Sea Oats, Wood Oats, and a few other similar names). Its botanical name is Chasmanthium latifolium, and if that ID is correct, it is a native grass. It can self-seed and do well in areas less sunny than most decorative grasses would prefer.

Miri
Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied August 10, 2026, 9:28 AM EDT
Miri,
   Thanks so much for your response!  I really appreciate your getting back to me so quickly, and with such a thorough response!  Just as an FYI, we tried to find an answer through our own research, but couldn’t find anything.

Have a nice day!

Mike 
The Question Asker Replied August 10, 2026, 2:30 PM EDT
You're welcome!
Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied August 10, 2026, 2:36 PM EDT

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