How much do you know about those sea oats you see growing on the dunes of the Alabama coast? We’re sharing six facts below to help you brush up your knowledge.

1 – Sea oats are a widespread grass that is drought resistant and immune to fungus infections. That makes them a hardy species for the tough coastal environment, even using the sand that collects around it to stimulate the plant’s growth.

2 – The scientific name for sea oats is Uniola paniculata. That probably will never come up in conversation, but it’s interesting to know.

3 – Sea oats provide food for various wildlife, including some birds, marsh rabbits and beach mice.

4 – Sea oats are crucial to preventing erosion along the coast. Because they help build sand dunes, they stave off damage from tropical storms and hurricanes.

5 – They can grow tall. While most of the sea oats we see in Orange Beach, Gulf Shores and Fort Morgan rise about three feet, they can reach as high as seven or eight feet.

6 – Maybe the most important thing for you to know about sea oats is that it’s illegal to pick them or destroy them. Walking on the sand dunes and picking sea oats is prohibited by a law enacted in 1973 by the Alabama Legislature. Please don’t pick the sea oats.