Switch Grass Panicum virgatum
Other Name: Tall Panic Grass
Description:
It is a native, warm-season, sod-forming perennial grass. It begins
growth in late April or Mid-May. The height of Switch Grass is up to 2 meters,
but usually somewhat less than that attained by Big Bluestem or Indian Grass. Switch
Grass is a lighter shade of green than the other grasses and has a lacy, open
look.
Leaf: The Leaves of Switch Grass are persistent on
the plant into winter, and are closely grown to give the lower half of the
plant a dense growth appearance.
Flower: The tops of the stems have large clusters of
many slender branches bearing the tiny, budlike flowers. These branches spread
widely away from the main stem, with scattered individual flowers near the tips
of the branches. Each flower appears to have 3 small, pointed, overlapping
bracts. The tear-drop shaped seeds are small and get inside pant legs and into
stockings.
Stem: The green to purplish stems are stout.
Blooming months: Late July-September
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8-20 |
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10-7 |
Discussion:
Switch Grass is palatable in its early growth and is readily eaten by all
kinds of grazing animals. It is easily established. It also provides good
nesting habitat for prairie birds.
Distribution:
Switch Grass may be found over all the True Prairie and Mixed Prairie
areas of central
Native
or Introduced to
Location:
N41048.677’ W089040.972’
Copyright:
© 2004 Nancy Trainor,
References:
Keller, Carolyn. Prairie Plants of
Ladd, Doug. Tallgrass Prairie Wildflowers, The Nature Conservancy, 1995.
Peterson, Roger Tory. Wildflowers Northeastern/North Central
Mohlenbroch, Robert H., and John W. Voigt. Prairie
Plants of
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