sea oats

American  

noun

1. a tall grass, Uniola paniculata, of coastal areas of southeastern North America, having as its inflorescence a densely crowded panicle, used to control sand erosion.

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Etymology

Origin of sea oats

1890–95;

Example Sentences

As the weather cools, the dangling seed heads and foliage of the sea oats change from green to gold to a coppery brown, standing in the winter landscape unless it gets knocked back by snow.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 1, 2023

Around 100 horses roam in the Corolla herd and have adapted to eating sea oats, persimmons, acorns and other native grasses on the island, the News & Observer reported.

From Fox News • Aug. 2, 2021

They were in the limber sea oats and in snake tracks swooshing up a dune.

From New York Times • Jun. 27, 2017

As visitors picked the sea oats for souvenirs, nothing was left to stop sand from blowing around.

From Washington Times • Jun. 26, 2016

With a Coleman lantern to lead him, Toomer secured the boat and then plunged through the woods until he came to a row of dunes covered with sea oats.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy