Back Dune/ Matting Panic Grass

COMMON NAME: Matting Panic Grass

OTHER COMMON NAME(S): Roughish Panicgrass, Glaucous Panicgrass

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Panicum leucothrix

FAMILY: Poaceae

COMMUNITY: Secondary Dune

STATUS: Native

LIFESPAN: Perennial

HEIGHT: 4 to 16 inches

FLOWERING TIME: Vernal phase May to July ~ Autumnal phase July to October

FRUITING TIME: June to October

DISTRIBUTION: Throughout coastal plain, rare in the Pine Barrens in New Jersey

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Erect, stems densely tufted, becoming prostrate and forming mat in Autumn ~ Junction of blade and sheath hairy ~Spiklets finely hairy, oblong-ovoid ~ Inflorescence (panicles) varying in Spring and Fall ~ Leaves have vernal and autumnal phase also

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. The name of this species, leucothrix, means white-haired.  White hairs are found below the culms, leaves, panicles and spikelets of Matting Panic Grass. 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. The perennial panic grasses is a large group, many of which, have an unusual life cycle.  Several of these grasses have a vernal and an autumnal phase.  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.