Scientific Family
Poaceae
Synonyms
Panicum kermesinum, Panicum longijubatum, Panicum miliare, Panicum proliferum, Panicum subalbidum
Other common names
blue panic
blue panicgrass
Plant type
Grasses
Riparian
No
Grass Description
Origin
Introduced
Season
Cool
Warm
Open disturbed areas and along fields.
Plant Community
Disturbed Areas
Low elevation
1000
High elevation
4000
General Description
Seedhead stems are wiry almost woody, mostly 32 to 40 inches tall with a branching, open seedhead, the branches spreading or ascending, and densely flowered from the base to the tip.
Rhizomes. Seedhead stems branching from swollen nodes and above the middle; spikelets densely clustered 1/8 inch long or less; first glume half as long as the spikelet or less. Spikelets unawned with 2 florets, the first floret sterile or staminate.
Grass type
Perennial bunchgrass
Rhizomes
Yes
Stolons
No
Clump Diameter 2 ft or more
Yes
Bushy - highly branched
Yes
Height with Seedheads
Greater than 36 inches
Seedhead Structure
Branched - open and spreading
Seedhead droops
No
First bloom month
April
Last bloom month
October
Flower Characteristics
Flowers per Spikelet
Multi-flowered
Spikelets One-Sided
No
Awns
Absent
Three Awns
No
Awns bent
No
Flower and Seedhead Notes
1 to 2 spikelets per node, unawned with 2 florets, the first floret sterile or staminate. Sterile lemma hairless, fertile lemma smooth and shining, about 1/16 inch long.
Vegetative Characteristics
Blade is hairy
Yes
Blade margins white
No
Blade cross-section
Flat
Blades are 4 to 24 inches long, 1/8 to 3/4 inch wide, elongate with lower surfaces and margins rough to the touch, upper surfaces occasionally with soft hairs near the base.
Sheath is hairy
No
Tufts of hair top of sheath or collar
No
Ligule
Membranous and hairy
Auricles
No
Good grazing for wildlife and livestock.