beaked panicgrass

Family

Poaceae

Scientific Name

Panicum anceps

Synonyms (former Scientific Names):

Panicum rhizomatum

Panicum anceps. var. rhizomatum

Habit

It is a native, rhizomatous, warm season perennial grass, and grows from 2 ft to 4 ft tall.

Leaves

The leaves are elongated, flat, and glabrous to pubescent. Leaves are 15-50 cm long and 4-12mm wide. If hair is present it will be located on the upper surface towards the base. Beaked panicgrass has a very short membranous ligule that is irregular shaped.

Identifying Characteristics

This is one of the more robust panic grasses that is often found along roadsides and wood edges. Leaves are folded, red-streaked leaves and cured beak spikelets are often helpful identifying features.

Flower Seed Head

Blooms from July to October. The inflorescences are open panicles, 6 to 15 inches long. Spikelets mature in the fall.

Seed Fruit

Seeds are 2-2.2 mm long and 1 mm wide, elliptic, smooth, and shiny. A small tuft of hairs are present at the apex of the seed.

Where Found

Beaked panicgrass prefers moist wet soil but can withstand a wide range of habitats. It can be found growing in bottomland freshwater marshes and swamps on sandy soil. It is native to the Southeastern United States.