Switchgrass
Panicum virgatum
- Native to:
- Belize, Bermuda, Canada, Cuba, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, United States, Virgin Islands
Warren Gretz, DOE/NREL
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Panicum
- Species:
- Panicum virgatum
- USDA Symbol:
- PAVI2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 244 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- green, purple
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Delaware Skipper (Atrytone logan), Leonard's skipper (Hesperia leonardus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, butterflies, small mammals
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- orange, red, yellow
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Tolerates and benefits from periodic fire; resprouts from rhizomes after burning.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- fertile, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Thrives in prairies and open woodlands
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 7–28 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily after cold, moist stratification. Sow in spring after last frost.
Pre-treatment: Mix equal amount of seeds with perlite or vermiculite and moisten. Store in a cold environment (33-42 degrees F) for 1-4 months.
Establishment: Seed is harvested by hand or by combine. Germination conditions may vary slightly between protocols.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months.
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Native Seed Group (seeds)
- North Creek Nurseries (nursery)
- Native American Seed (nursery and seeds)
- Bamert Seed (seeds)
- Vermont Wildflower Farm (nursery and seeds)
- Wild Seed Project (seeds)
- Native Plants Nursery (nursery)
- Native Plants Nursery (nursery)
- Native American Seed (nursery and seeds)
- Pizzo Native Plant Nursery (wholesale nursery)
- Native Plants Nursery (nursery)
- Native Plants Nursery (nursery)
- Native Plants Nursery (nursery)
- Native Plants Nursery (nursery)
- Native Plants Nursery (nursery)
- Native Plants Nursery (nursery)
- Sheffield's Seed (seeds)
- Prairie Moon Nursery (nursery and seeds)