witchgrass

Family

Poaceae

Scientific Name

Panicum capillare

Other Common Names:

ticklegrass

tumbleweed grass

panicgrass

tumble panic

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.