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Bitter Panicgrass - Grass Information Sheet
Uses of Bitter Panicgrass: Landscaping, Medicinal, Culinary, etc...
Erosion control: The principal use for bitter panicum is in coastal dune erosion control and it may have a role in stabilizing other dry, sterile areas such as roadsides and minespoils.
Livestock: Bitter panicum is consumed by cattle, sheep, and goats.
General Characteristics
Panicum amarum Ell., bitter panicum, is a perennial, U.S. native, warm season grass growing to a height of 7 feet with a growth habit ranging from erect to prostrate. The leaves are 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide, 7 to 20 inches long, smooth without hair, and bluish in color. A robust grass, it spreads slowly from short, strong rhizomes to form open clumps. Small quantities of poor quality seed are produced on compact clusters 6 to 12 inches long and 2 to 4 inches wide
Required Growing Conditions
Bitter panicum is adapted to very dry sterile sites. It can withstand periods of extended drought and is somewhat winter hardy.
Bitter panicum is distributed throughout the East and lower Midwest.
Cultivation and Care
Generally, no site preparation is required when planting bitter panicum. Freshly dug bareroot shoots (tillers) and rooted or unrooted stem cuttings can be used to establish plantings. Plant potted plants and bare root plants in staggered rows 2 to 3 feet apart with plants 2 feet apart in each row. Place plants 8 to 10 inches deep or deeper in moist soil. Bury unrooted stems end to end in trenches 4 to 6 inches deep and 2 to 3 feet apart leaving the top 6 to 10 inches of the stem exposed. Plant unrooted cuttings 3 to a hole in staggered rows 2 to 3 feet apart with holes 2 feet apart in each row.Bitter panicum can be established in the fall with cuttings, in late winter or early spring with potted plants, or in late spring (beginning of rainy season) with young tillers.
General Upkeep and Control
During establishment, restrict traffic and livestock grazing. All sites should be allowed to establish the first year, prior to any grazing. Once grazing is started do not graze lower than 4 to 6 inches. Apply fertilizer according to soil test recommendations. Application of fertilizer may be split.
Pests and Potential Problems There are no known serious pests of bitter panicum.
Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) ‘Northpa’ (NC) and ‘Southpa’ (FL). Planting materials are available from commercial sources.
Source: USDA, NRCS, PLANTS Database, plants.usda.gov.
National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA
