Switchgrass

Classification
Kingdom - Plantae
Division - Magnoliophyta
Class - Liliopsida
Order - Cyperales
Family - Poaceae (grass family)
Genus species - Panicum vigatum L.

Etymology
The generic name, Panicum, comes from the word "panic," meaning "millet."
The species name, virgatum, comes from the Latin word virg, meaning "wand-like," such as a magician's wand.

Stem
The stem of this grass is often purplish to reddish in color, and turns an orange tint when it matures
Grows 1 to 6 feet tall.

Leaves
Leaves are elongated and flat
Leaves are 4 to 25 inches in length, 0.2 to 0.6 inches wide.
Margins of leaves are rough
There is a triangular patch of hairs on the upper surface at the base.

Inflorescence
Open, diffuse panicle, 6 to 20 inches long
Ovate to pyramidal in shape, usually one third to one half as wide as long.  
Branches are ascending or spreading, with spikelets near the end.

Fruit
The seed head is very open, with branches projecting outward.
Switchgrass reproduces sexually by seeds that mature in the late summer
Switchgrass also reproduces asexually by aboveground shoots and underground rhizomes

Sources
http://www.northern.edu/natsource/GRASSES/Switch1.htm
http://www.niles-hs.k12.il.us/amilef/Plantprojects2003/Switchgrass.jpg
http://wisplants.uwsp.edu/scripts/detail.asp?SpCode=PANVIR

 



Ted Bodner. James H. Miller and Karl V. Miller. 2005.
Forest plants of the southeast and their wildlife uses.
University of Georgia Press.


Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora
of the northern states and Canada. Vol.1: 141.