Categories: Poaceae

Smooth witchgrass (Panicum dichotomiflorum, Fl. Bor.-Amer. 1: 48 (1803))

Family: Poaceae

Author: Michx.

Bibliography: Fl. Bor.-Amer. 1: 48 (1803)

Year: 1803

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Panicum

Vegetable: False

Observations: America

Description

Smooth witchgrass, scientifically named Panicum dichotomiflorum, is a notable member of the Poaceae family, a diverse group integral to various ecosystems. Originally documented in the early 19th century by Michx., this grass species holds its place in the botanical literature with its detailed description found in “Flora Boreali-Americana” published in 1803.

Primarily found across the American continent, smooth witchgrass is recognized for its resilience and adaptability to different environments. It typically thrives in disturbed soils, making it a common inhabitant of agricultural lands, roadsides, and other areas influenced by human activity.

Smooth witchgrass exhibits a distinctive morphology characterized by its smooth texture, which is reflected in its common name. The plant features a branching habit with thin, yet robust stems that contribute to its hardy nature. Its flowering pattern is notable for the dichotomous arrangement, where the flowers stem out in pairs along the inflorescence.

The role of smooth witchgrass extends beyond its ecological presence, contributing significantly to the habitat where it grows by providing ground cover that helps reduce soil erosion. Moreover, its presence in agricultural settings, though sometimes considered a weed, is an indication of its robust ability to flourish in various soil types and conditions.

For those studying grass species within the Poaceae family or exploring native American flora, Panicum dichotomiflorum serves as a fascinating subject. Its widespread presence and historical documentation offer valuable insights into the biodiversity and ecological dynamics of American plant life.

The work of Michx. in cataloging this species underscores the rich botanical heritage and the ongoing importance of documenting plant life for scientific and environmental understanding. Smooth witchgrass continues to be a species of interest both for its botanical traits and its role within its native habitats.

Common Names

Eng: autumn millet, blue-grass, bluegrass, fall panic grass, fall panicum, fall panicgrass, smooth witchgrass, spreading panicgrass, cane grass
Deu: gabelblütige hirse, gabelästige hirse, gabelästige rispenhirse, reisfeld-hirse, spaetbluehende hirse, spätblühende rispenhirse
Dan: gaffel-hirse
Nld: kale gierst
Fra: millet, millet des rizières, panic, panic des rizières, panic d’automne, panic à inflorescence dichotome
Ita: panico delle risaie
Por: capim-arroxeado, capim-de-boi, capim-do-brejo, capim-miriam, grama-castelo, grama-de-castela
Ces: proso vidlicokvěté
Lav: zarot
Lit: šakotoji sora
Swe: hösthirs
Cym: miled yr hydref
En: Smooth witchgrass, Autumn millet, Fall panic grass, Fall panicum, Bluegrass, Fall panicgrass, Blue-grass, Cane grass, Spreading panicgrass
Ca: Mill
Cs: Proso vidlicokvěté
Da: Gaffel-hirse
Nl: Kale gierst
Fr: Millet, Millet des rizières, Panic, Panic des rizières, Panic d’automne, Panic à inflorescence dichotome, Millet dichotome, Panic dichotome, Panic à fleurs dichotomes
De: Gabelblütige Hirse, Gabelästige Hirse, Gabelästige Rispenhirse, Reisfeld-Hirse, Spaetbluehende Hirse, Spätblühende Rispenhirse, Spätblühende Hirse
It: Panico delle risaie
Lv: Zarot
Lt: Šakotoji sora
Pt: Capim-arroxeado, Capim-de-boi, Capim-do-brejo, Capim-miriam, Grama-castelo, Grama-de-castela
Es: Mijo, Pasto colchón
Sv: Hösthirs
Cy: Miled yr Hydref

Synonyms

Panicum amplectens (Chapm.)
Panicum dichotomiflorum subsp. puritanorum ((Svenson) Freckmann & Lelong)
Panicum dichotomiflorum var. chloroticum ((Nees ex Trin.) B.Bock)
Panicum proliferum var. geniculatum (Alph.Wood)
Panicum chloroticum var. silvestre (Nees)
Panicum proliferum var. chloroticum ((Nees ex Trin.) Hack.)
Panicum dichotomiflorum var. geniculatum (Fernald)
Panicum dichotomiflorum var. puritanorum (Svenson)
Panicum aquaticum var. chloroticum ((Nees ex Trin.) R.C.Foster)
Leptoloma dichotomiflora ((Michx.) Smyth)
Panicum hygrophilum (Salzm. ex Steud.)
Panicum chloroticum (Nees ex Trin.)
Panicum chloroticum var. pingue (Nees)
Panicum aquaticum var. cartagoense (Davidse)
Panicum chloroticum var. sylvestre (Nees)
Panicum chloroticum var. luxurians (Nees ex Döll)
Panicum chloroticum var. agreste (Nees ex Trin.)
Panicum francavillanum (E.Fourn.)
Panicum dichotomiflorum var. imperium (Fernald)
Panicum retrofractum (Delile ex Desv.)
Panicum proliferum var. strictum (Griseb.)
Panicum proliferum var. richardii (Döll)
Panicum alternatum (Brouss.)
Panicum proliferum var. xanthochlorum (Hack. ex Bertoni)
Panicum proliferum var. pilosum (Griseb.)

Distribution

Alabama (native)
Argentina Northeast (native)
Arizona (native)
Arkansas (native)
Bahamas (native)
Bermuda (native)
Bolivia (native)
Brazil North (native)
Brazil Northeast (native)
Brazil South (native)
Brazil Southeast (native)
Brazil West-Central (native)
British Columbia (native)
California (native)
Chile Central (native)
Colombia (native)
Colorado (native)
Connecticut (native)
Cuba (native)
Delaware (native)
District of Columbia (native)
Dominican Republic (native)
Florida (native)
French Guiana (native)
Galápagos (native)
Georgia (native)
Guyana (native)
Haiti (native)
Honduras (native)
Idaho (native)
Illinois (native)
Indiana (native)
Iowa (native)
Kansas (native)
Kentucky (native)
Louisiana (native)
Maine (native)
Maryland (native)
Masachusettes (native)
Mexico Central (native)
Mexico Northeast (native)
Mexico Northwest (native)
Mexico Southeast (native)
Mexico Southwest (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)
Nova Scotia (native)
Ohio (native)
Oklahoma (native)
Ontario (native)
Oregon (native)
Panamá (native)
Paraguay (native)
Pennsylvania (native)
Peru (native)
Puerto Rico (native)
Québec (native)
Rhode I. (native)
South Carolina (native)
South Dakota (native)
Suriname (native)
Tennessee (native)
Texas (native)
Trinidad-Tobago (native)
Utah (native)
Venezuela (native)
Vermont (native)
Virginia (native)
Washington (native)
West Virginia (native)
Wisconsin (native)
Albania (introduced)
Austria (introduced)
Bangladesh (introduced)
Belgium (introduced)
Central European Rus (introduced)
China South-Central (introduced)
China Southeast (introduced)
Czechoslovakia (introduced)
France (introduced)
Germany (introduced)
Hawaii (introduced)
Hungary (introduced)
Italy (introduced)
Japan (introduced)
Korea (introduced)
Kriti (introduced)
Malaya (introduced)
Myanmar (introduced)
New Zealand North (introduced)
North Caucasus (introduced)
Northwest European R (introduced)
Primorye (introduced)
South European Russi (introduced)
Switzerland (introduced)
Taiwan (introduced)
Transcaucasus (introduced)
Yugoslavia (introduced)