Panicum (panicgrass)[2] is a large genus of about 450 species of Poaceae grasses native throughout the tropical regions of the world, with a few species extending into the northern temperate zone. They are often large, annual or perennial grasses, growing to 1–3 m (3–10 ft) tall.[3][4]
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The flowers are produced in a well-developed panicle often up to 60 cm (24 in) in length with numerous seeds, which are 1–6 mm (0.04–0.24 in) long and 1–2 mm (0.04–0.08 in) broad. The fruits are developed from a two-flowered spikelet. Only the upper floret of each spikelet is fertile; the lower floret is sterile or staminate. Both glumes are present and well developed.[5][6][7][8][9][10]
Australia has 29 native and 9 introduced species of Panicum.[11][12][13]
Well-known species include P. miliaceum (proso millet) and P. virgatum (switchgrass).
- Panicum abscissum Swallen (endemic to Florida)
- Panicum amarum Elliott – bitter panicum (North America)
- Panicum anceps Michx. – beaked panicum (United States)
- Panicum antidotale Retz. – blue panicum (South Asia, Himalayas)
- Panicum capillare L. – witchgrass, tumbleweed[14] (North America)
- Panicum coloratum L. – kleingrass, coolah grass, Bambatsi panic (Africa)
- Panicum decompositum R.Br. – native millet (Australia)
- Panicum dichotomiflorum Michx. – fall panicgrass (North America)
- Panicum effusum R.Br. – hairy panic (Australia, New Guinea)
- Panicum fauriei Hitchc. – Faurie's panicgrass (endemic to Hawai'i)
- Panicum flexile (Gattinger) Scribn. – wiry panicgrass (eastern North America)
- Panicum hallii Vasey – Hall's panicgrass (North America)
- Panicum havardii Vasey – Havard's panicgrass (North America)
- Panicum hemitomon Schult. – maidencane (Americas)
- Panicum hillmanii Chase – Hillmann's panicgrass (North America)
- Panicum hirticaule J.Presl – Mexican panicgrass (Americas)
- Panicum lycopodioides Bory ex Nees – false club-moss panic grass (Réunion)
- Panicum maximum Jacq. – Guinea grass, buffalo grass (Africa, Palestine, Yemen)
- Panicum miliaceum L. – proso millet, common millet (domesticated)
- Panicum niihauense H.St.John – lau 'ehu (endemic to Hawai'i)
- Panicum obtusum Kunth – vine mesquite grass (North America) (possible synonym of Hopia obtusa)
- Panicum pygmaeum R.Br. – Australian native dwarf panicum, rainforest panicum
- Panicum repens L. – torpedo grass (widely introduced)
- Panicum rigidum Balf.f. (endemic to Socotra)
- Panicum simile Domin – two colour panic (Australia)
- Panicum socotranum Cope (endemic to Socotra)
- Panicum sumatrense Roth – little millet (Asia)
- Panicum turgidum Forssk. – afezu (Africa, Asia)
- Panicum urvilleanum Kunth – desert panicgrass (North America)
- Panicum virgatum L. – switchgrass (North America)
Formerly classified in this genus, according to The Plant List:
P. phragmitoides
P. torridum
P. xerophyllum
P. trichoides
Valdes, B. & H. Scholz. 2006. "The Euro+Med treatment of Gramineae - a generic synopsis and some new names". Willdenowia 36(2): 657–669 Morrone, O., A. M. Antón & F. O. Zuloaga. 1995. "Axonopus". Flora Fanerogámica Argentina. 19(1): 11–16
Grasses of the Tweed Valley of NSW: An introductory field guide to locally common grasses: native and introduced, compiled by Penny Watsford, Nullum Publications, 2004 ISBN 0-9756823-0-X)
