Amphicarpum muhlenbergianum (Schult.) Hitchc., 
blue maidencane 
DESCRIPTION 
Warm-season, rhizomatous perennial. 
Height: 1 to 3 feet. 
Leaf blade: 3 to 5 inches long; 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide; flat; 
firm; whitish margins become whiter as plant matures; 
leaves evenly distributed along stem. 
Leaf sheath: Rounded. 
Subterranean spikelets: 2 to 4 inches under soil surface; fer- 
tile. 
Roots: Fibrous; numerous; weight of roots produced is dou- 
ble that of top growth. 
Seedhead: Open panicle, 2 to 4 inches long; sterile spikelets. 
GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS 
Growth cycle is 10 to 11 months. In south Florida, new growth 
starts in late December. By mid-March, plant is 4 to 5 inches 
high; by June, 14 to 15 inches high. Sterile spikelets form in 
June. Subterranean spikelets also appear in June. They are in a 
soft-dough stage by October and mature in mid-November or 
early December. Reproduces primarily from rhizomes. Tends to 
grow in pure stands. 
DISTRIBUTION 
Throughout Florida, coastal area of Georgia, and southern 
South Carolina. 
SITE ADAPTATION 
Adapted to acid to neutral sandy soils that are wet for part of 
year. Grows in pond areas that are intermittently dry and wet if 
water level is seldom deeper than 6 to 8 inches. Especially well 
adapted to sloughs where water is shallow and moves slowly over 
the surface during rainy seasons. Does not grow in deep or stag- 
nant water. Tolerates shade. Produces 1 to 1-1/2 tons of air-dry 
forage per acre under a 35- to 40-percent shade. 
USE AND MANAGEMENT 
Blue maidencane is grazed readily by cattle all year and by 
deer in winter and spring. Hogs graze rhizomes in winter. Live- 
stockmen reserve ranges and grazable woodlands that are largely 
blue maidencane for winter and spring use. 
This grass remains vigorous and produces at maximum if pro- 
perly grazed and grazing is deferred periodically for at least 120 
days. Thin stands respond favorably to disking in winter or early 
spring. 
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