Panicum abscissum Swallen, cutthroatgrass 
DESCRIPTION 
Warm-season, robust, rhizomatous perennial. 
Height: 2 to 4 feet. 
Leaf blade: Narrow; keeled; 16 to 18 inches long; twisted 
when dry. 
Leaf sheath: Mostly basal; overlapping; keeled; wide; cuts 
back sharply at collar. 
Ligule: Membrane about 1/32 inch long. 
Seedhead: Open purple panicle 8 to 10 inches long. 
GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS 
Growth starts in January but little foliage is produced until 
March, April, and May. Regrows well after spring grazing. Seed- 
heads appear in June; seed ripen in late July and early August. 
Reproduces primarily from robust, thick rhizomes. Grows well in 
35- to 40-percent shade. 
DISTRIBUTION 
Only in south-central Florida. 
SITE ADAPTATION 
Grows only on strongly acid, seepy, sandy sites. 
USE AND MANAGEMENT 
Cutthroatgrass is grazed by cattle all year. Deer graze it in 
the spring. Livestock grazing it in winter must be fed a complete 
mineral and protein supplement. 
Deferred grazing every few years during spring for at least 90 
days keeps this grass vigorous and productive. Occasional con- 
trolled burning eliminates unused material. New growth following 
a burn is excellent forage. 
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