Variable Panicgrass
(Panicum commutatum)
Variable Panicgrass (Panicum commutatum)
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mfeaver
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mfeaver
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CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: mfeaver | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: mfeaver | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2018-11-17T16:59:38-08:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Panicum commutatum, commonly known as Variable Panicgrass, is a deciduous perennial grass native to open grasslands and pine flatwoods in the Southeastern USA, extending into the Caribbean. This grass typically reaches a height of 3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 meters) and a spread of 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters). It features narrow, lance-shaped leaves and produces airy panicles of small, greenish flowers in the late summer to fall, which are not particularly showy but add a fine-textured element to plantings.
Variable Panicgrass is valued for its adaptability to a range of soil conditions and its tolerance of both drought and occasional flooding, making it a versatile choice for naturalistic plantings and restoration projects. It is often used in meadow gardens, as a border plant, or for erosion control. In cultivation, it thrives in part shade to full shade and requires low amounts of water once established. It is well-suited to sandy or loamy soils with good drainage. While generally low-maintenance, it can self-seed and become weedy in favorable conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0
Variable Panicgrass is valued for its adaptability to a range of soil conditions and its tolerance of both drought and occasional flooding, making it a versatile choice for naturalistic plantings and restoration projects. It is often used in meadow gardens, as a border plant, or for erosion control. In cultivation, it thrives in part shade to full shade and requires low amounts of water once established. It is well-suited to sandy or loamy soils with good drainage. While generally low-maintenance, it can self-seed and become weedy in favorable conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Grass
- Height: 3-5 feet
- Width: 2-3 feet
- Growth Rate: Rapid
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Part Shade, Full Shade
- Water: Low
- Drainage: Medium
Common Uses
Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant
Natural Habitat
Open grasslands and pine flatwoods in the Southeastern USA and the Caribbean
Other Names
Common Names: Variable Witchgrass
Scientific Names: , Dichanthelium commutatum, Panicum equilaterale, Panicum commutatum, Dichanthelium commutatum subsp. ashei, Dichanthelium commutatum var. ashei, Dichanthelium commutatum subsp. joorii, Panicum albomaculatum, Panicum joorii, Dichanthelium albomaculatum
GBIF Accepted Name: Panicum commutatum Schult.