FNPS Plant Database

Panicum virgatum

switchgrass

PHOTOS COMING SOON!

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

Coming Soon!

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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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, FL.



Minno, Marc and Maria Minno.  1999.  Florida butterfly gardening.  University Press of Florida, Gainesville.



Nelson, Gil.  2003.  Florida's Best Landscape Plants. Association of Florida Native Nurseries.



Wunderlin, R. P., B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. 2021. Atlas of Florida Plants ( https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/ ).  Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa.

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