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erectleaf panicgrass
Scientific Name: Dichanthelium erectifolium
Family: Poaceae
Category: Monocot
Growth: Graminoid
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Panicgrass (Various Species)
The term "Panicgrass" encompasses a wide variety of grasses belonging to different genera, including Panicum and Dichanthelium. These grasses are found in diverse habitats and exhibit a range of growth habits.
Considerations for Pets
- Some Panicgrass species have stiff hairs on their stems and leaf sheaths.
- Some panicgrasses produce seeds.
Considerations for Children
- Some Panicgrass species have stiff hairs on their stems and leaf sheaths.
- Some panicgrasses produce seeds.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Family: Poaceae (Grass family)
- Subfamily: Panicoideae
- Tribe: Paniceae
- Several species and subspecies are mentioned, including:
- Panicum depauperatum (Panic-grass)
- Dichanthelium acuminatum (Needleleaf Rosette Grass, Narrow-leaved Panicgrass)
- Dichanthelium ensifolium (Small Leaf Witch Grass, Sword Leaf Panic Grass)
- Dichanthelium erectifolium (Erect Leaf Witch Grass, Erect Leaf Rosette Grass)
- Panicum anceps (Beaked Panicgrass)
- Panicum capillare (Witchgrass)
- Panicum hallii (Hall's Panic Grass)
- Panicum lanuginosum
- Coleataenia rigidula ssp. rigidula (Redtop Panic Grass)
- Synonyms and alternative names are provided for several species.
Common Names
- Panic-grass, Panic grass
- Witchgrass
- Ticklegrass
- Hairgrass
- Tumble grass
- Needleleaf Rosette Grass
- Narrow-leaved Panicgrass
- Small Leaf Witch Grass
- Sword Leaf Panic Grass
- Erect Leaf Witch Grass
- Erect Leaf Rosette Grass
- Erect-Leaf Witchgrass
- Erectleaf Panicgrass
- Hirst brothers panic grass, Hirsts' panic grass
- Western Panicgrass
- Hairy Panicgrass
- Tapered Rosette Grass
- Slimleaf panicgrass
- Rosette panicgrass
- Blue panicgrass
- Giant panic grass
- Redtop Panic Grass
Distribution and Habitat
- Stiff-leaved rosette-panicgrass is a rare native grass of sandy soils in New England.
- Wright's Panic-grass may appear in shoreline habitats.
- Mention of coastal plain marshes.
Morphological Characteristics
- Culms (stems) are erect to widely spreading, rather stiff, and unbranched in some species.
- Leaves can be long and narrow, with erect blades.
- Leaf sheaths can be glabrous (smooth) or hairy.
- Some species form basal rosettes of leaves.
- Heights vary greatly between species from 15 cm to 3 meters.
- Some species have smooth, bluish leaves.
Ecological Role
- Witchgrass (Panicum capillare) is considered a noxious weed in Europe.
Uses
- Some panicgrasses are used for stabilizing soil.
- Some panicgrasses can be used as a low-traffic ground cover.
- Leaves of some panicgrasses were historically used by the Creek Indians for fevers.
Quirky Facts
- Blue panicgrass stems are described as hard, almost woody, and swollen at the base.
- Witchgrass is also known as "ticklegrass," a name derived from the plant's texture.