Old-witch grass (Panicum capillare, Sp. pl. 1:58. 1753)

Family: Poaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. pl. 1:58. 1753

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Panicum

Vegetable: False

Observations: Canada to NE. Mexico, Caribbean

Description

Old-witch grass, scientifically known as Panicum capillare, is a distinctive member of the Poaceae family. Described initially by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1753, this species of grass holds its origins in North America, extending from Canada down to northeastern Mexico and notably flourishing in the Caribbean region.

Panicum capillare thrives in a variety of environments, often favoring disturbed soils and open, sunny areas where it can grow unhindered. This hardy species demonstrates a remarkable adaptability, making it a common sight across its native range. Its growth habit is typically annual, with fine, hair-like stems that give rise to its aptly chosen common name, Old-witch grass.

The plant is easily recognizable by its delicate, airy panicles that can extend up to 50 cm in length. These panicles bear numerous tiny, spike-like florets, creating a cloud-like appearance that waves beautifully in the breeze. Often considered a pioneering species, Old-witch grass plays a crucial role in stabilizing soils and preventing erosion, particularly in areas where the ground has been disturbed.

Ecologically, Panicum capillare serves as an important component of its habitat. It provides food and shelter for various insects and small animals, contributing to the biodiversity of the ecosystems it inhabits. Despite sometimes being viewed as a weed in cultivated lands or gardens, its ecological benefits emphasize its value in maintaining the balance of natural landscapes.

In conclusion, Old-witch grass – Panicum capillare – is a resilient and beneficial grass species with a widespread presence from Canada to northeastern Mexico and the Caribbean. Its graceful, hair-like stems and functional ecological role celebrate the beauty and efficacy of nature’s often overlooked, hardy pioneers.

Common Names

Heb: dohan nimi, דוחן נימי
Nld: draadgierst
Deu: haar-hirse, haaraestige hirse, haaraestige rispe, haarstiel-rispenhirse, haarästige hirse, westliche haarstiel-rispenhirse
Dan: hårfin hirse
Lit: laibašakė sora
Fra: millet capillaire, panic capillaire
Eng: old-witch grass, witch grass, witch-grass, witchgrass, witchgrass panic, common panicgrass, common witchgrass
Ita: panico capillare
Swe: buketthirs, hapsihirssi
Por: capim-mimoso, painço
Hun: hajszálágú köles
Fin: hapsihirssi
Nob: heksehirse
Nno: heksehirse
Lav: matveida s
Ces: proso vláskovité pravé
Cym: miled y wrach
En: Old-witch grass, Witchgrass, Witchgrass panic, Common Panic Grass, Annual witchgrass, Common witchgrass, Witch grass, Witch-grass, Common panicgrass, Old Witch-grass, Old Witchgrass
Ar: ثمام شعري
Ca: Panissola capil·lar
Cs: Proso vláskovité, Proso vláskovité pravé
Da: Hårfin hirse
Nl: Draadgierst
Fi: Hapsihirssi
Fr: Panic capillaire, Millet capillaire, Panic à petites graines
De: Haarästige Hirse, Haar-Hirse, Haaraestige Hirse, Haaraestige Rispe, Haarstiel-Rispenhirse, Westliche Haarstiel-Rispenhirse, Haarstiel-Hirse
He: Dohan nimi, דוחן נימי
Hu: Hajszálágú köles
It: Panico capillare
Lv: Matveida s
Lt: Laibašakė sora
Nv: Tłʼohdaʼaghálii
No: Heksehirse
Nb: Heksehirse
Nn: Heksehirse
Pt: Capim-mimoso, Painço
Pt-br: Capim-mimoso, Pânico-capilare
Es: Hierba de la bruja, Mijo capilar
Sv: Buketthirs, Hapsihirssi
Cy: Miled y wrach

Synonyms

• Panicum acutifolium (Willd. ex Spreng.)
• Panicum riparium (H.Scholz)
• Milium barbipulvinatum ((Nash ex Rydb.) Lunell)
• Panicum barbipulvinatum var. hirsutipes (Suksd.)
• Leptoloma barbipulvinata ((Nash ex Rydb.) Smyth)
• Panicum barbipulvinatum (Nash ex Rydb.)
• Leptoloma capillaris ((L.) Smyth)
• Panicum capillare var. vulgare (Scribn.)
• Panicum bobartii (Lam.)
• Chasea capillaris ((L.) Nieuwl.)
• Panicum capillare var. agreste (Gatt.)
• Panicum capillare subsp. barbipulvinatum ((Nash ex Rydb.) Tzvelev)
• Panicum capillare var. occidentale (Rydb.)
• Panicum capillare var. barbipulvinatum ((Nash ex Rydb.) McGregor)
• Panicum capillare var. brevifolium (Rydb. & Shear)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Alberta (native)
• Arizona (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• Bermuda (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• California (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Delaware (native)
• District of Columbia (native)
• Florida (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Kansas (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Missouri (native)
• Montana (native)
• Nebraska (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• New York (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• North Dakota (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Prince Edward I. (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• South Dakota (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Texas (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Utah (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Windward Is. (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Argentina Northwest (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Austria (introduced)
• Azores (introduced)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Brazil South (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Central European Rus (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• Chile South (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• East Aegean Is. (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Greece (introduced)
• Hungary (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Kriti (introduced)
• Lebanon-Syria (introduced)
• Madeira (introduced)
• Netherlands (introduced)
• New Caledonia (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• North Caucasus (introduced)
• Pakistan (introduced)
• Palestine (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Portugal (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Romania (introduced)
• South European Russi (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Switzerland (introduced)
• Transcaucasus (introduced)
• Turkey (introduced)
• Ukraine (introduced)
• Uruguay (introduced)
• Yugoslavia (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jul 31, 2021 by Elisa Marchioro (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 2, 2021 by laura dicken (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 27, 2022 by Silvio Garcia Guzmán (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 27, 2022 by Silvio Garcia Guzmán (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 3, 2022 by John Sycorax (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Nov 27, 2022 by Silvio Garcia Guzmán (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 21, 2020 by Araújo Villiana (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 3, 2020 by Avery Armstrong (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 3, 2022 by John Sycorax (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 20, 2022 by Raphael Gurprasad (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Habit

Taken Aug 24, 2022 by Tomaž Jančar (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 28, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 22, 2021 by solembum (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 9, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 12, 2021 by Lucas Stewart (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 12, 2020 by Fred asselin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 9, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 28, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 9, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 5, 2021 by Konstantin Grandl (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Aug 12, 2020 by Raimund Vollmuth (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − John Hilty (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − John Hilty (cc-by-nc)

Taken Aug 21, 2022 by Tomaž Jančar (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 22, 2021 by solembum (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Sep 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Jul 16, 2021 by Samantha Taylor (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 16, 2021 by Giovanni Scarmoncin (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2705162)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:181618-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Panicum capillare L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.0

Ph minimum: 7.5

Light: 9

Atmospheric humidity: 3

Soil nutriments: 7