Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Saturday - September 04, 2010
From: Mobile, AL
Region: Southeast
Topic: General Botany
Title: Oils/paraffins in sea oats
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Do Sea Oats produce oils/paraffins?ANSWER:
Not sure if you mean Uniola paniculata (seaoats) or Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland sea oats); but, considering that you are in Mobile, Alabama I suspect you are asking about Uniola paniculata. I could find studies on the fatty acid content of silage grasses (e.g., "Stability of fatty acids in grass and maize silages after exposure to air during the feed out period" by N. A. Kahn, J. W. Cone and W. H. Hendriks in Animal Feed Science and Technology Volume 154, Issues 3-4, 26 November 2009, Pages 183-192). I found a source for macronutrient (Ca, N, Mg, K, P) content in Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland sea oats) in the article "Growth and Macronutrient Accumulation of Chasmanthium latifolium (Michx.) Yates and Hakonechloa macra Makino ‘Aureola’ in Response to Temperature" by M. P. Harvey and M. H. Brand in HortScience 37(5):765–767. 2002. Unfortunately, I could find no information about the fatty acid, oil, or paraffin content of either Uniola paniculata or Chasmanthium latifolium. I don't know why you are looking for this information, but perhaps someone with the Alabama A & M and Auburn Universities Alabama Cooperative Extension System would be able to help you.
More General Botany Questions
20 years to bloom
May 02, 2007 - My girlfriend and i have come up with an interesting question, we were wondering if there is a plant in existance that takes over 20 years to bloom, and how many different kinds (if any) there are? We...
view the full question and answer
Is Esperanza a deciduous or an evergreen plant?
March 08, 2009 - I've read that Esperanza/Tecoma Stans is an evergreen. I planted one last year that seemed very healthy, but it dropped its leaves in late fall and looks (at least) dormant now. Will it come back o...
view the full question and answer
What is a Demaree Rose?
August 14, 2013 - Have been told the Apache Plume is the Wild Rose after which the Wild Rose Pass north of Ft. Davis was named. However, other research indicates it was the Demaree Rose. What is true and are there ...
view the full question and answer
How do plants living in various climates differ?
February 25, 2008 - Do plants that live in different climates have different tecture or are they just totally different?
view the full question and answer
Least common flower color
June 14, 2008 - What is the least common flower color in the world?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |