Wild Oat

Avena fatua

Also known as: Western Oat

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Poaceae
Genus:
Avena
Species:
Avena fatua

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Annual
Growth Habit:
Graminoid
Height:
4-6 ft
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
mar, apr, may, jun, jul, aug

Native Range

United States: Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming, Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Northwest Territories, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala)

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
well-drained, sandy to loamy soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
thrives in disturbed soils