Johnston's Native Grasses | Grasses

CAVE-IN-ROCK SWITCHGRASS

PANICUM VIRGATUM

Summary

Cave-in-Rock switchgrass, a warm season native grass, has an average height of 3-5 feet, but can reach up to 6 feet in some regions. It is highly adaptable to various soils and growing conditions, making it a popular choice for wildlife habitat, pasture, rangeland, and biofuel production. With its upright growth and sturdy stems, it offers excellent nesting, brood rearing, and winter cover for pheasants and other birds. Additionally, its extensive root system promotes soil erosion control and stabilization.

Switchgrass is a native, warm-season, perennial, tall grass that reproduces from seed and rhizomes. Switchgrass is categorized as either upland or lowland.  Upland types are typically shorter and generally found on upland sites with lower fertility and drier conditions. Lowland types can reach 8 to 10 feet tall, are very robust, and found in moister low areas with high fertility. Mature lowland types will tolerate long periods of flooding. Switchgrass is a very persistent species with excellent drought hardiness and cold tolerance. Switchgrass is widely adapted and found throughout the United States with the exception of the West Coast. Switchgrass produces large seeds on a spangled-type seed head. The stem is round, hollow, and usually has a reddish tint. Switchgrass is easily identified by a small nest of hair where the blades attach to the sheath. Switchgrass is used for pasture and makes a good quality hay when mowed prior to seedhead formation. It should not be grazed closer than 5 to 7 inches during the growing season. In recent years interest in biofuel research has generated substantial interest in developing new varieties of Switchgrass as well as new management strategies.  For conservation and range use, Switchgrass is one of the BIG FOUR species is usually seeded in mixtures with Bluestem, Indiangrass, and Sideoats Grama.

Plant Characteristics
Taxonomy

Zone

Regional Growing Zone
3 - Southern Mountain, 4 - Mountain, 5 - Midwest, 6 - Northeast Lakes, 7 - Great Lakes South, 8 - Appalacia, 9 - Southeast
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Temperature Zone
Warm, Cool, Transitional

Plant Characteristics

Height
36" - 120"
Bloom Period
Mid-Summer - Late-Summer
Bloom Color
Yellow
Leaf Color
Green
Growing Cycle
Perennial
Sun Requirement
Full Sun

Plant Information

Planting Season
Spring - Fall
Plant Depth
0.25"
Minimum Soil Temp for Germination
60° F
Establishment
Easy

Seed Information

Seeds Per Pound
400,000
Kingdom
PLANTAE
Subkingdom
TRACHEOBIONTA
Super Division
SPERMATOPHYTA
Division
MAGNOLIOPHYTA
Class
LILIOPSIDA
Subclass
COMMELINIDAE
Order
CYPERALES
Family
POACEAE
Genus
PANICUM
Species
PANICUM VIRGATUM

Coverage Area & Available Sizes

COVERAGE: 5 to 6 PLS lbs per acre

AVAILABLE SIZES:

Applications

Soil Stabilization & Erosion Control

Switchgrass has been long used for many conservation applications including but not limited to; buffer strips, Conservation Reserve Program, and stream bank erosion.

Pasture & Range

Switchgrass provides a suitable forage for hay and grazing if harvested prior to seedhead formation.  Forage quality diminishes rapidly when the reproductive stage is initiated in mid to late summer.

Landscaping

Switchgrass is also used in landscape plantings.  It is typically used as perimeter screens and accent plants.  Switchgrass can be moderately invasive in some applications.

Growth Guide & Gallery

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