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Species of flowering plant

Uniola paniculata, also known as sea oats, seaside oats, araña, and arroz de costa,

Uniola paniculata is a tall, erect perennial grass that can grow to in height. Its long, thin leaves reach lengths of and are about in width, tapering to a pointed apex. The plant produces inflorescences of flat spikelets, each of which contains 10 to 12 wind pollinated florets. The plant forms dense surface roots and penetrating deep roots that are colonized by beneficial organisms such as mycorrhizal fungi. Rhizomes are elongate and produce extensive lateral growth. They root readily when buried in sand.

Uniola paniculata is found on beach fronts and barrier islands along the Atlantic Coast from New Jersey to Florida, and the Gulf Coast from Florida to Tabasco, Mexico. The range of Uniola paniculata along the US Atlantic coastline is expanding northward. The plants tend to trap blowing sand, and burial of the plant base by sand stimulates growth and helps the plant spread by tacking down the rhizomes. Uniola paniculata is adversely affected by urban encroachment. Treated and untreated sewage, urban runoff and pollution from marinas all impact the plant. Off road vehicles and foot traffic damage the plants, disrupt their roots and compact the sand. Loss of the plants leads to erosion and loss of protective dunes.

Sea oats are a protected grass in several states along the southeastern Atlantic coast. Picking or disturbing sea oats is punishable by fine in Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. Florida by law also prohibits interfering with sea oats and protects nurserymen that grow sea oats.

Seeds of U. paniculata provide food for red winged blackbirds, sparrows and other songbirds, as well as marsh rabbits and mice. Florida ornithologists have discovered that the pygmy burrowing owl makes its nest within sea oat colonies to conceal its young from natural predators such as the frigatebirds.