Panicum amarum - Bitter Panic Grass
$9.99
Description:
"Grass Family (Poaceae). Bitter panicum is a
native, perennial, rhizomatous, warm-season grass
growing to a height of 4-8 feet with a growth habit
ranging from erect to prostrate to decumbent. The
leaves are 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide, 7 to 20 inches long,
smooth without hair, and bluish in color. A robust
grass, it spreads slowly from short, strong rhizomes
or by rooting from lower nodes of plant stems
(culms) to form open clumps." (USDA)
Botany:
"The inflorescence is a narrow panicle 12 to 15 inches in length that is contracted in maturity. Flowering begins in September and continues through December. Bitter panicum is a hexaploid (2n=54), consequently, seeds are consistently sterile. Small quantities of poor quality seed are produced on compact clusters 6 to 12 inches long and 2 to 4 inches wide. Reproduction is vegetative by lateral tillering from established plants. Plants can spread from an aggressive, scattered system of rhizomes, but the stands are rather open." (USDA)
Faunal Associations:
Male and female American goldfinches spotted on Bitter Panic Grasses. (BeckyLaboy)
Restoration Uses:
"The principal use for bitter panicum
is in coastal dune erosion control, however it may
have a role in stabilizing other dry, sterile areas such
as roadsides and minespoils.
Bitter panicum is recommended for beach dune
enhancement and stabilization on coastal beaches and
barrier islands. It is an ideal dune plant. The above
ground portion of the plant reduces wind velocity
allowing sand to drop out of the wind stream and
accumulate. The below ground portion of the plant
stabilizes and holds the sand in place with an
extensive fibrous root and rhizome system.
Livestock and forage: Bitter panicum is consumed by
cattle, sheep, and goats. This grass has a lowmedium browse and grazing palatability and a
medium protein potential. It is a favorite forage of
livestock in some areas and was eliminated along
some portions of the Texas barrier islands by grazing.
When livestock are removed, this grass reestablishes
rapidly." (USDA)
Native Habitat:
"Habitat: Bitter panicum grows on coastal dunes, in
interdunal swales, overwash sands, wet sandy soils,
low fertility soils, and the margins of swamps. On
coastal dunes, it is most likely found in the lower
foredune slopes of the frontal zone, which is closest
to the ocean and supports mainly grasses and other
herbaceous plants tolerant of exposure to salt spray.
It also occurs on dune crests, as well as in the
backshore area near dunes and on both the leeward
and the windward slopes of dunes or dune ridges. It
favors exposed areas where windblown sand
accumulates" (USDA)
Ethnobotany:
"A warm infusion of Panicum sp.
(panicgrass) leaves was taken by the Creek Indians
for fevers, especially those caused by malaria. It was
also used for ‘rabbit sickness’, muscular cramps,
cough, dry throat, noisy chest and as a bath for
‘gopher-tortoise sickness’ by the Mikasuki Seminole.
Stems were used for padding the inside of Cherokee
moccasins." (USDA)
Type: Ornamental grass
Family: Poaceae
Zone: 6 to 7
Height: 3.00 to 4.00 feet
Spread: 2.00 to 3.00 feet
Bloom Time: September to February
Bloom Description: Blue tinged
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Low
Suggested Use: Naturalize, Rain Garden
Flower: Showy
Leaf: Colorful
Other: Winter Interest
Tolerate: Drought, Erosion, Dry Soil, Black Walnut, Air Pollution
Covers
- "Panicum amarum" by USDA NRCS Brooksville PMC. Public domain.
- "File:Panicum amarum Dewey Blue 2zz.jpg" by Photo by David J. Stang is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Introduction
- USDA, NRCS. 2006. Bitter Panicum (Panicum amarum) Plant Guide. Data compiled by staff at the USDA-NRCS Golden Meadow Plant Materials Center, Galliano, LA by Julia Lamphere
Botany
- USDA, NRCS. 2006. Bitter Panicum (Panicum amarum) Plant Guide. Data compiled by staff at the USDA-NRCS Golden Meadow Plant Materials Center, Galliano, LA by Julia Lamphere
-
"Panicum amarum ssp. amarum (bitter panicgrass), Stratford, CT" by Doug_McGrady is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Faunal Associations
-
"Panicgrass Panicum amarum American Goldfinch" by BeckyLaboy is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Native Habitat
- USDA, NRCS. 2006. Bitter Panicum (Panicum amarum) Plant Guide. Data compiled by staff at the USDA-NRCS Golden Meadow Plant Materials Center, Galliano, LA by Julia Lamphere
-
"File:Starr-031108-0308-Ipomoea pes caprae subsp brasiliensis-with Panicum amarum-Venice Beach-Florida (24379271700).jpg" by Forest and Kim Starr is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Ethnobotany
- USDA, NRCS. 2006. Bitter Panicum (Panicum amarum) Plant Guide. Data compiled by staff at the USDA-NRCS Golden Meadow Plant Materials Center, Galliano, LA by Julia Lamphere
Information and images compiled by Erik N. Vegeto
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