Panic-grasses

Deer-tongue Panic-grass Deer-tongue Panic-grass Velvety Panic-grass Velvety Panic-grass

What are they?

The panic-grasses treated here are the species that were moved from the genus Panicum to Dichanthelium. These are mostly rather low-growing species and mostly found in wooded or shaded spots.

Where are they found?

A large number of these species can be found in shady or wooded areas but there are a few species that are more widespread and may be found along hedgelines, old field margins and even in coastal dunes.

Identification

This group is notoriously dificult to identify and much attention to detail is required. The type and distribution of hairs on all parts of the plant, size of ligules and flower spikes and size and shape of leaves (especially at the base) are all important.



Bosc's Panic-grass      Dichanthelium boscii

Uncommon but scattered in shaded, usually dry, woodland habitats. Flowers July to October. Leaves are the broadest in the group, with rounded bases that clasp the stem. Upper leaf surfaces downy; stem nodes with downward pointing, silky hairs.
Bosc's Panic-grass Bosc's Panic-grass Bosc's Panic-grass Bosc's Panic-grass
Habit
Flower spike
Single floret
Leaves

Bosc's Panic-grass Bosc's Panic-grass Bosc's Panic-grass
Upper leaf surface
Leaf bases
Stem node

Variable Panic-grass      Dichanthelium commutatum var. ashei

Quite common in a wide range of habitats. Flowers July to October. As the name suggests, this is a highly variable species, but usually has a very short (less than 1mm) leaf ligule of bristly hairs and is often distinctly purple-tringed. Plants with rather hairy leaf sheaths and lower nodes represent the form 'ashei'.
Variable Panic-grass Variable Panic-grass Variable Panic-grass Variable Panic-grass
Habit
Flower spike
Single floret
Leaf

Variable Panic-grass Variable Panic-grass Variable Panic-grass
Leaf ligule
Leaf sheath
Lower stem

Deer-tongue Panic-grass      Dichanthelium clandestinum

Probably the most common member of this group in Cape May County, being found widely in shady woodland areas and shady water margins. Flowers June to November. Leaves are broad with rounded bases that clasp the stem. Ligules very hairy, each hair with a glandular lump at the base.
Deer-tongue Panic-grass Deer-tongue Panic-grass Deer-tongue Panic-grass Deer-tongue Panic-grass
Habit
Flower
Leaf bases
Back of leaf sheath

Velvety Panic-grass      Dichanthelium scoparium

A widespread and common grass, found in all sorts of woodland edge and marginal habitats. Flowers late June to November. A very distinctive and readily-recognized species due to the remarkably velvety feel to the leaf surfaces. Note also the stem nodes which have a narrow ring of hairless stem.
Velvety Panic-grass Velvety Panic-grass Velvety Panic-grass Velvety Panic-grass
Flower spike
Leaf base
Leaf surface with
thick down
Stem node

Tapered Panic-grass      Dichanthelium acuminatum

A widespread and common species of open areas on dry, sandy soils. Flowers late June to October.
Tapered Panic-grass Tapered Panic-grass Tapered Panic-grass Tapered Panic-grass
Habit
Flower spike
Flower close-up
Leaf base

American Panic-grass      Dichanthelium columbianum

A widespread species, scattered throughout in dry woodland. Flowers June to July.
American Panic-grass American Panic-grass American Panic-grass American Panic-grass
Habit
Flower spike
Flower close-up
Leaf base

American Panic-grass American Panic-grass American Panic-grass
Leaf
Leaf ligule
Stem node

Matting Panic-grass      Dichanthelium meridionale

A widespread and common species of dry, sandy places. Often common in mature coastal dune complexes. Flowers June to July. A low-growing species which often form tight clumps of softly hairy vegetation with widely spreading flowering stems.
Matting Panic-grass Matting Panic-grass Matting Panic-grass Matting Panic-grass
Habit
Flower spike
Flower close-up
Leaf base & stem

Woolly Panic-grass      Dichanthelium villosissimum

A common species, found in a variety of dry soils. Flowers June to July. Usually found forming tight clumps of very hairy leaves and stems.
Woolly Panic-grass Woolly Panic-grass Woolly Panic-grass Woolly Panic-grass
Habit
Flower spike
Floret close-up
Upper leaf surface

Woolly Panic-grass
Lower stem node

Wright's Panic-grass      Dichanthelium wrightianum

A scarce species of wetlands. Flowers June to August. A small and easily overlooked species, perhaps best recognized by its tiny florets and fruits which are less than one millimeter long.
Wright's Panic-grass Wright's Panic-grass Wright's Panic-grass Wright's Panic-grass
Habit
Flower spike
Floret close-up
Leaf ligule

Forked Panic-grass      Dichanthelium dichotomum var. dichotomum

A widespread species, found in a variety of dry soils. Flowers June to July. Usually not forming tight clumps but appearing in open stands of single stems. Florets are usually hairless, flower heads are broad and open-branched and upper leaves usually stand out flag-like from the main stem.
Forked Panic-grass Forked Panic-grass Forked Panic-grass Forked Panic-grass
Habit
Flower spike
Floret close-up
Upper stem leaf

Forked Panic-grass Forked Panic-grass
Leaf base
Lower stem node

Forked Panic-grass      Dichanthelium dichotomum var. ramulosum

A form of Forked Panic-grass that may occasionally be found in wetter soils. Flowers June to July. Usually not forming tight clumps but appearing in open stands of single stems. Florets are usually hairless, flower heads are broad and open-branched and upper leaves usually stand out flag-like from the main stem. Differs from variety dichotomum in its vernal leaves 7-15mm wide (not 3-8mm), and spikelets 1.9-1.9mm long (not 1.8-2.3mm).
Forked Panic-grass var. ramulosum Forked Panic-grass var. ramulosum Forked Panic-grass var. ramulosum Forked Panic-grass var. ramulosum
Flower spike
Floret close-up
Leaf base & stem
Stem node

Bog Panic-grass      Dichanthelium lucidum

A common species of a variety of wet habitats and often found in sphagnum bogs. The bright green coloration and mat-forming behavior of this plant are distinctive.
Bog Panic-grass Bog Panic-grass Bog Panic-grass
Flower spike
Floret close-up
Leaf base & stem

Bog Panic-grass Bog Panic-grass
Leaf sheath
Stem node

Starved Panic-grass      Dichanthelium depauperatum

A widespread species, scattered throughout in dry woodland. Flowers June to July. Perhaps most easily told from other panic-grasses, by its long leaves, very different from those of other species in the group found in our area. Flower spikes are relatively small and narrow. Leaves and stems can vary from lightly to heavily haired.
Starved Panic-grass Starved Panic-grass Starved Panic-grass Starved Panic-grass
Habit
Flower spike
Floret close-up
Leaf ligule

Starved Panic-grass
Stem node