Tall Oatgrass

Arrhenatherum elatius

-30

Harmful

Not native to Arkansas. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 76%

Height: About 4 feet
Light: 2 or more hours of direct sun
Soil moisture: Somewhat dry to average

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Do not plant. Listed invasive in Arkansas.

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Sun: Partial shade, Full shade, Full sun. Soil: Somewhat dry to average. Flowers: Green.
Similar growth form, height, evergreen or deciduous
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Sun: Full sun. Soil: Somewhat dry to moist. Flowers: Purple.
Similar growth form, height, evergreen or deciduous
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Sun: Full to part sun. Soil: Dry to somewhat dry. Flowers: Green.
Similar growth form, height, evergreen or deciduous

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At a glance

Bloom: Early summer
Fruiting season: Spring to summer

Not yet recorded · Spread · Life cycle · Leaves

Recorded in 1 Arkansas county.

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

1CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including AR

Genus host records with ranges including AR · Arrhenatherum

Apamea sordensBordered Apamea, Rustic Shoulder-Knot

Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)

—BeesSoutheastern regional records

—Specialist beesPollen specialists

—BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family: Poaceae
Flower color: Yellow
Growth rate: Moderate
Growth habit: Grows in clumps
Foliage color: Green
Fruit begins: Spring
Fruit ends: Summer

What its natural habitat tells you

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope

Bloom · “Early summer” · USDA PLANTS · Nationwide species characteristics; local growing conditions may vary
Flower color · “Yellow” · USDA PLANTS · Nationwide species characteristics; local growing conditions may vary
Foliage color · “Green” · USDA PLANTS · Nationwide species characteristics; local growing conditions may vary
Fruit begins · “Spring” · USDA PLANTS · Nationwide species characteristics; local growing conditions may vary
Fruit ends · “Summer” · USDA PLANTS · Nationwide species characteristics; local growing conditions may vary
Growth habit · “Grows in clumps” · USDA PLANTS · Nationwide species characteristics; local growing conditions may vary
Growth rate · “Moderate” · USDA PLANTS · Nationwide species characteristics; local growing conditions may vary
Height · “About 4 feet” · USDA PLANTS · Nationwide species characteristics; local growing conditions may vary

Also known as

Oat Grass

Conservation status

Arkansas rank	SNA
Global rank	GNR
AR status	Not verified
Federal status	Not verified

Conservation source Global and federal source