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PlantsInUSA
Native to Alabama +48 Pet-safe perennial

Switchgrass

Panicum virgatum

Panicum virgatum
Photo: Warren Gretz, DOE/NREL · Public domain

Switchgrass. Panicum virgatum, commonly known as switchgrass and panic grass, is a perennial warm season bunchgrass native to North America, where it occurs naturally from 55°N latitude in Canada southwards into the United States and Mexico. Switchgrass is one of the dominant species of the central North American tallgrass prairie and can be found in remnant prairies, in native grass pastures, and naturalized along roadsides. It is used primarily for soil conservation, forage production, game cover, as an ornamental grass, in phytoremediation projects, fiber, electricity, heat production, for biosequestration of atmospheric carbon dioxide, and more recently as a biomass crop for the production of ethanol and butanol.

Growing & care

  • Sun: full sun.
  • Water: average; drought-tolerant.
  • Soil: any.
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Switchgrass — seeds, tools & books

Native range

Sources