Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)

Also Known As: Tall panic grass, Blackbent, Tall prairiegrass, Wild redtop, Thatchgrass
Plant Family: Grasses (Poaceae)

Identification Guide: *Print version
Phenophase Field Guide: *Print version

2009 Live Map - View

Did you Know? Switchgrass is a key species of the tall grass prairie. It is used for forage and ornamental use. Switchgrass has several cultivars. As a crop, switchgrass is self seeding, which means that farmers do not have to plant and re-seed after annual harvesting. Once established, switichgrass can survive for ten years or longer. Switchgrass made news headlines recently because some researchers believe it has great potential for producing biofuel (substitute for diesel oil). It is a good candidate for use as a biofuel because of its prodigious growth and tolerance of a wide variety of conditions.

Identification Hints: Switchgrass is a large grass growing with bluestem and indian grass species in tall grass prairies. It is distinctive in having flowers in large open panicles. Indiangrass (sorgastrum) also has big panicles but its panicles are silky hairy and its spikelets are golden brown.

Phenological Observations of Interest: First Flower Stalk, First Pollen, End of Pollen, First Ripe Fruit, All Leaves Withered

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2009 Live Map for Switchgrass

Below you can view the latest 100 observations that have been reported in 2009 for Switchgrass (If the map below is empty then there have not been any 2009 observations reported.)

Use the navigation buttons on the left to zoom in/out and pan around. Click on each place marker to get detail information about that observation.

= First Flower Stalk
= First Pollen
= End of Pollen
= First Ripe Fruit
= All Leaves Withered

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