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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Panicum capillare is a ANNUAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seed
Edible Uses:

Seed - cooked whole or ground into a powder and used as a flour[257]. It is often mixed with corn[[161, 177]. The seed is very small and fiddly to use, it has a mild flavour and can be used like millet[K]. In the wild, the seed stem breaks off when the seed is ripe and then blows away in the wind, scattering the seed[236].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Emetic

An infusion of the leaves has been used as an emetic[257]. An infusion of the plant has been used as a reducing aid when dieting[257].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Broom

The grass can be made into brooms[257].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a moderately fertile well-drained soil in full sun[200].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. Germination should take place within a week. Prick out the seedlings into trays or individual pots and plant them out after the last expected frosts[200, K].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Québec, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, British Columbia), United States (Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Illinois, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida (n. (Leon Co.)), Georgia (north), Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah), Mexico (Baja California (Norte), Baja California Sur, Coahuila de Zaragoza, Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, Sonora, Tamaulipas, México, Michoacán de Ocampo, Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave) SOUTHERN AMERICA: Cuba, Jamaica, United States (Virgin Islands, U.S.) EUROPE: Russian Federation (Saratov, Volgogradskaja oblast)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Panicum antidotale	Blue Panic Grass, Blue panicum	Perennial	3.0	0-0		LMH	N	M	1	1	0
Panicum decompositum	Native Millet, Australian millet	Perennial	0.3	0-0		LMH	N	M	2	0
Panicum maximum	Guinea grass. Green panic grass	Perennial	2.0	10-12	F	LM	FSN	DM	1	2	2
Panicum miliaceum	European Millet	Annual	1.0	10-12		LMH	N	DM	3	2	2
Panicum obtusum	Vine Mesquite	Perennial	0.8	-		LMH	N	M	2	0	2
Panicum sonorum	Sauwi, Mexican panicgrass	Annual	1.0	0-0		LMH	N	DM	2	0
Panicum turgidum	Desert Grass. Turgid panic grass, Afezu	Perennial	1.5	10-12	F	LM	N	DM	2	0	2
Panicum urvilleanum	Desert Panicgrass	Perennial	1.0	-		LMH	N	DM	2	0
Panicum virgatum	Switch Grass	Perennial	1.8	10-12	F	LM	N	DM	0	0	2

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Panicum capillare - L.