Panicum virgatum
Copyright, Mark W. Bierner
Switchgrass, also known
as Tall Panicgrass, is a tall-growing grass found in
marshes,
lakeshores, and meadows.
It grows in large clumps. Switchgrass has green
blades as leaves, with a reddish tint. Blades can be up to
five feet tall and are about 1/2 inch wide. Flowers are small and are
grouped together in a column called a panicle. Panicles of
flowers are on the ends of long stems which can be up to
seven feet tall. The panicles can be 10 inches long. The
reddish flowers bloom from June to August before they are
replaced with many seeds. In the Fall, Switchgrass
blades turn pale yellow and the seeds on the panicles turn
beige. This plant is a
perennial,
which means the parts above ground die back in the Winter,
but the roots send up new leaves and flowers each Spring.
Switchgrass also spreads with rhizomes
(underground stems) which make new plant
sections. R.E. Redmann, Department
of Plant Sciences, University of Saskatchewan Switchgrass often grows
near Eastern Redcedar, Loblolly Pine, Virginia Pine, and
Black Willow. It grows along with other grasses, weeds, and
wildflowers. It is very competitive
and will sometimes crowd out other plants. Many birds and small
mammals
eat Switchgrass seeds, including: Canada Goose, Mourning
Dove, Northern Bobwhite, Wild Turkey, Red-winged Blackbird,
Northern Cardinal, Brown-headed Cowbird, Dark-eyed Junco,
Meadow Vole, White-footed Mouse, Eastern Gray Squirrel,
Mallard, Eastern Chipmunk, and sparrows.
