Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Poaceae

Genus:

Panicum

Species:

Panicum virgatum

USDA Symbol:

PAVI2

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Graminoid

Height:

180 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun,Part Shade

Drought Tolerance:

High

Bloom Months:

jul,aug,sep

Bloom Colors:

pink, purple, green

Wildlife Benefits

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

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

birds, small mammals, butterflies

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Fall Color:

yellow, orange, red

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Resprouts vigorously from deep rhizomes after fire. Historically maintained by prairie fire regimes with 2-5 year return intervals.

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:

14–30 days

Notes:

Light enhances germination. Fresh seed may have dormancy; cold stratification improves germination rates.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI