Panicum capillare

Panicum capillare, known by the common name witchgrass,[1] is a species of grass. It is a native plant to most of North America from the East Coast through all of the West Coast and California. It can be found as an introduced species in Eurasia, and as a weed in gardens and landscaped areas.[2] It grows in many types of habitat.

Panicum capillare
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Subfamily: Panicoideae
Genus: Panicum
Species:
P. capillare
Binomial name
Panicum capillare
Synonyms

Panicum barbipulvinatum

Description

Panicum capillare is an annual bunchgrass growing decumbent or erect to heights exceeding one meter (3 feet). It is green to blue- or purple-tinged in color. In texture it is quite hairy, especially on the leaves and at the nodes. The ligule is a fringe of long hairs.

The inflorescence is a large open panicle which may be over half the total length of the plant, up to half a meter long. At maturity it fans out, spreading to a width over 20 centimeters. As the plant dies and dries, the panicle may break off whole and becomes a tumbleweed.[3]

References
  1. USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Panicum capillare". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
  2. Virginia Tech Weed Profile
  3. Grass Manual Treatment Archived June 11, 2011, at the Wayback Machine


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