Native Plants of the Great Lakes
North Branch Restoration Project:
Native Plant and Seed Collection
Panicum Virgatum / Family: Poaceae
Switch Grass, Swink/Wilhelm # 5
FLOWERING: Late July - August
SEED TIMING: Mid-September to late October
HABITAT: Moist to dry prairies.
DIAGNOSTIC FEATURES: Tufted grass 3 - 6 feet high. Stout,
erect stems in large clumps. Leaves are 8 - 20 inches long and have
a patch of dense hairs in form of inverted “v” shape where they join
the stem. Large open panicles are up to 16 inches long and begin to
form in July.
TO PICK: Large teardrop-shaped seeds are borne on open
panicles. They are light tan in color and strip off easily. It is
best to wear gloves as the dry stalks tend to produce slivers on
bare hands. |
