Desert Grass
Panicum turgidum
- Native to:
- Algeria, Benin, Burkina, Chad, Congo, Cyprus, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gulf States, India, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sinai, Socotra, Somalia, Sudan-South Sudan, Tunisia, Western Sahara, Yemen
Scan by NYPL,Blondeau, Alexandre; Fourier, Jean Baptiste Joseph; France.; France.; France.; Institut d'Egypte (1798-1801); Jacotin, Pierre; Jollois, Jean Baptiste Prosper; Jomard, Edme-François; Monge, Gaspard; Napoleon; Tresca, Salvadore; Villoteau, Guillaume André,Alex Sergeev (www.asergeev.com),Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz,Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz,Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz,Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz,Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz,Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz,Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz,Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz,Alex Sergeev (www.asergeev.com)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Panicum
- Species:
- Panicum turgidum
- USDA Symbol:
- PATU8
Growth Characteristics
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep,oct
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from base after fire or grazing; adapted to arid fire-prone environments.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, nutrient-poor, well-drained soil
- pH:
- 6.5 - 8.5 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- adapted to arid desert environments
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily under warm conditions without pretreatment.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI