Panicum scribnerianum Nash, scribner panicum 
DESCRIPTION 
Cool-season, perennial bunch grass. 
Height: Less than 18 inches. 
Leaf blade: Broad; long stiff hairs on margin; sometimes 
hairy underneath. 
Leaf sheath: Mostly basal ; short ; hairy. 
Seedhead: Open panicle. 
GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS 
Scribner panicum is fairly typical of the 50 to 60 species of low 
panicums which grow throughout the South. Growth generally 
starts in late fall. Basal leaves form rosettes which grow little dur- 
ing winter but stay green. Most low panicums produce seedheads 
and leaves along the stems in spring. A few start growth in spring 
and in fall produce a reduced seedhead partly protected by leaves. 
Spring growth and winter rosettes of mature basal leaves suggest 
two different plants. All species of low panicums tolerate shade. 
DISTRIBUTION 
Most of South but most abundant in Southeast. 
SITE ADAPTATION 
Low panicums grow on all sites except marshes. 
USE AND MANAGEMENT 
Scribner panicum and other low panicums furnish some green 
forage to livestock during winter. Deer eat the green leaves ; birds 
eat the seed. 
Low panicums grow so close to the ground that it is difficult for 
livestock to overgraze them. Because they are seldom grazed be- 
tween the time seedheads emerge in spring and growth starts in 
fall, no special management practices are required. 
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