Switch grass
Panicum virgatum

Family: Poaceae

What it is like

A grass. It grows 2.1 m tall. It forms large clumps and has rhizomes or underground runners. The leaf blades are 60 cm long by 6 mm wide. The flowering shoots are 50 cm long. They are open or spreading. The spikelets are 5 mm long.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It suits semi-arid regions.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Canada, Central America, China, Korea, Mexico, North America (country/location of origin), USA

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Seeds, cereal

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Chasea virgata (L.) Nieuwl.; Eatonia purpurascens Raf.; Ichnanthus cynotis (Trin.) Doll; Ichnanthus longispiculus Swallen; Milium virgatum (L.) Lunell; Navicularia glabra Raddi; Panicum buchingeri E. Fourn.; Panicum coloratum Kunth; Panicum cynotis Trin.; Panicum giganteum Scheele; Panicum glaberrimum Steud.; Panicum ichnanthoides E. Fourn. Panicum kunthii E. Fourn. ex Hemsl.; Panicum naviculare Nees; Panicum purinisum Bernh. ex Trin.; Panicum virgatum var. (many);