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 | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Subfamily: | Panicoideae |
| Genus: | Panicum |
| Species: | P. capillare
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| Binomial name | |
| Panicum capillare | |
| Synonyms | |
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Panicum barbipulvinatum | |
Description edit
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 edit
- ^ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Panicum capillare". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
- ^ Virginia Tech Weed Profile
- ^ Grass Manual Treatment Archived June 11, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
External links edit
- USDA Plants Profile for Panicum capillare (witchgrass)
- Jepson Manual Treatment
- UC CalPhotos gallery of Panicum capillare
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