Common Oat
Avena sativa
- Native to:
- Iran, Iraq
Roger Culos
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Avena
- Species:
- Avena sativa
- USDA Symbol:
- AVSA
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Food Forest:
- Contains edible parts
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★★★☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Agrotis orthogonia, Agrotis venerabilis, Army cutworm (Euxoa auxiliaris), Armyworm moth (Pseudaletia unipuncta), Black cutworm (Agrotis ipsilon), changeable grass-veneer (Fissicrambus mutabilis), clover cutworm (Agrotis gladiaria), corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea), Dargida procinctus, Deterred Dart (Euxoa detersa), Euxoa ochrogaster, Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), Faronta albilinea, Faronta diffusa, glassy cutworm (Apamea devastator), Leucania latiuscula, Mesapamea stipata, Olivia's buckmoth (Hemileuca oliviae), Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum), stalk borer moth (Papaipema nebris), Yellow-headed Cutworm (Apamea amputatrix), zebra caterpillar moth (Melanchra picta)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- fertile, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- good drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- thrives in temperate climates with adequate rainfall
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–14 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily in cool, moist soil without pretreatment.
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Sheffield's Seed (seeds)
- Prairie Moon Nursery (nursery and seeds)