Thicket/ Forked Panic Grass

COMMON NAME: Forked Panicgrass

OTHER COMMON NAME(S): Spreading witch grass, Fall Panicum

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Panicum dichotomum

FAMILY: Poaceae

COMMUNITY: Thicket

STATUS: Native   

LIFESPAN: Annual

HEIGHT: to 7 feet

FLOWERING TIME: late May to late July

FRUITING TIME: late May to late July

DISTRIBUTION: Nova Scotia to Florida ~ Statewide in New Jersey

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Stems smooth, flat ~ Leaf blades wide ~ many branches ~ Flower cluster green or purple, up to 16 inches long, often grows in sprawling clumps

GENERAL INFORMATION: The Poaceae family is commonly called the grass family and grasses in this genus, Panicum, are commonly called panic grasses.  The name is presumably derived from its more or less diffuse panicle or flower cluster.  Forked Panicgrass is likely named for its many branches and spreading characteristic. One hundred and sixty species of panic grasses grow in the United States; approximately one-third of the total in the world. The center of abundance of our species is in the Southeast, though some panic grasses are encountered in all parts of the country.  The plants inhabit fields and upland waste places and is often considered a weed. The perennial panic grasses is a large group that has an unusual life cycle.  They have basal rosettes of leaves that stay green through the winter.  In the early part of the season, they send up a conspicuous terminal flowering shoot.  Later in the season the plant starts branching profusely and produces small inflorescences (flower cluster) tucked in the leaf axils.  These flowers never open but instead pollinate themselves. Panic grasses are one of the country’s most important source of food for ground-feeding songbirds and gamebirds.

Please note: While harvesting wild berries/fruit is permitted at Island Beach State Park, visitors must adhere to park regulations at all times and must not damage vegetation or go off designated trails.  This information is presented for educational purposes.