Panicum rhizomatum Hitchc. and Chase, spreading panicum 
DESCRIPTION 
Warm-season , rhizomatous perennial. 
Height: 2 to 3 feet. 
Leaf blade: Flat; 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide; 12 to 18 inches long; 
both sides covered with long, soft hair. 
Leaf sheath: Rounded; as long as internodes; hairy; lower 
part purple tinged. 
Ligule: Tuft of hair. 
Seedhead: Open panicle 4 to 5 inches long, 2 inches wide; 
spikelets set at angle on pedicel. 
GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS 
Grows from axillary buds at basal nodes and from rhizomes 
from early spring until late August or early September. Plants low 
in vigor produce a single shoot from a rhizome. Although repro- 
duction is primarily from rhizomes, spreading panicum produces 
an abundant seed crop each year if plants are healthy and vigor- 
ous. Produces seedheads in early September. Seed ripen in Octo- 
ber. Plants are pale green. On severely grazed ranges, leaves and 
stems lie flat on the ground. 
DISTRIBUTION 
Throughout forested areas in South at elevations below 400 to 
500 feet and north along Atlantic coast to Maryland. 
SITE ADAPTATION 
Adapted primarily to poorly drained acid to neutral deep sandy 
soils but grows on strongly acid well-drained deep sandy soils. 
USE AND MANAGEMENT 
Spreading panicum is used primarily for livestock grazing. It is 
selected by livestock from early spring until late fall but is only 
fair roughage during winter. Seed are eaten by birds. 
Grazing should be deferred for at least 60 days periodically dur- 
ing the main growing season to improve vigor and density. 
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