witchgrass
Family
PoaceaeScientific Name
Panicum capillareOther Common Names:
panicgrass
ticklegrass
tumble panic
tumbleweed grass
witches hair
Synonyms (former Scientific Names):
Panicum barbipulvinatum
Habit
Seeds germinate between late spring and early summer. Witchgrass flowers from mid summer through early autumn.
Leaves
Leaves have a distinctive mid rib, hairy ligule, and the entire plant is hairy including both sides of the leaf, the collar, the stem and the sheath which may also be purplish.
Identifying Characteristics
Witchgrass typically has a reddish coloration on the stems starting where the plant meets the ground. It does not root at the nodes.
Flower Seed Head
The seedhead is very large and can be up to half the length of the entire plant. It has many branches on an open panicle.
Seed Fruit
Each spikelet produces one seed that can range in color from green to brown to gray.
Where Found
Witchgrass has no habitat preference and can be found in most any soil type. It is a weed in lawns and other landscape areas, gardens, flower beds, and roadsides.
Leaf Hair on Upper Surface
hairs from base to tip
Leaf Arrangement
rolled in bud
Mature Leaf Width
Varies:
less than 5 mm,
6 to 15 mm
Stem
flat or oval
Seedhead
panicle
Root Structure
fibrous
Life Cycle
summer annual
Auricle
not present
Ligule
hairy
Ligule Length
Varies:
less than 1 mm,
1-2 mm
Plant Type
Grass