FNPS Plant Database

Panicum virgatum

switchgrass
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

switchgrass

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Panicum virgatum

Family:

Poaceae (Gramineae)

Plant Specifics

Form:

grass

Size:

3-4 (6) ft tall by 2-3 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

green

Fruit Color:

brown

Phenology:

winter dormant

Noted For:

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Clump forming, suitable for planting toward the back of a moist wildflower garden.

Considerations:

An aggressive grower. Plant where that characteristic is appropriate.

Availability:

Native Nurseries, Specialty Provider, Seed

Propagation:

Division of root mass.

Light:

Full Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded---------------------------------Extremely Dry

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Usually moist, occasional inundation -to- Somewhat moist, no flooding

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Moderate. Tolerant of salty wind and may get some salt spray.

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Loam

Soil pH:

Suitable to Grow In:

USDA zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature.

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Vouchered In:

Distribution
Vouchered
Not vouchered
Selected
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Starting…
Map coded by Melissa Fernandez-de Cespedes (Paynes Prairie Chapter)

Ecology

Wildlife:

Butterflies

Larval host for tawny edged skipper.

Native Habitats:

Riverine forests, flatwoods, beaches, fresh and brackish marshes, disturbed sites.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

Being cultivated as a biofuel. Seed.

General Comments:

In the opinion of this author, this species has a weedy look. 



Occurs throughout Florida but is more frequent in flatwoods pond settings and small floodplains than in areas of sandy ridges.

Citations:

Huegel, Craig N. (2012). Native Wildflowers and Other Ground Covers for Florida Landscapes. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.


Minno, Marc, and Maria Minno. (1999). Florida Butterfly Gardening: A Complete Guide to Attracting, Identifying, and Enjoying Butterflies. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.


Nelson, Gil. (2003). Florida's Best Landscape Plants: 200 Readily Available Species for Homeowners and Professionals. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.


Wunderlin, R. P., B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. (1999+). Atlas of Florida Plants. ( https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/ ). [S. M. Landry and K. N. Campbell (application development), USF Water Institute.] Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa.

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