Panicum hillmanii

Panicum hillmanii, commonly known as Hillmann's panicgrass, is a grass from genus Panicum native to Southwestern United States.[1] It has been introduced to many other areas, notably including southern Australia where it became widespread,[2] and several parts of Europe.

Panicum hillmanii
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Subfamily: Panicoideae
Genus: Panicum
Species:
P. hillmanii
Binomial name
Panicum hillmanii
Seeds

Description

Panicum hillmannii is a perennial grass that resembles the related P. capillare (hairy panic) in habitat and appearance. It is distinguished by slightly stiffer panicles, firmer foliage, the rachilla shortly developed between the upper and lower glumes, the sterile floret which has the palea developed; and larger darker fertile lemma (up to 2mm long) with a prominent crescent-shaped scar at its base.[3][4]

Distribution and habitat

Panicum hillmannii is native to Southwest United States.[1] It was introduced to Australia in the early 1900s, and has spread across South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania,[3][2] sharing the habitat with related native witchgrass (P. effusum).[5] It was also introduced to Europe, and specimens have been found in France,[6] Belgium, Austria and Germany, although it remains relatively rare there and confined to agricultural weed in maize fields and habitats such as roadsides.[7]

Like several other Panicum species (P. capillare and P. effusum), Hillman's panicgrass can become a tumbleweed under extremely dry conditions, and can become a nuisance in residential areas due to the accumulation of grass stalks. Dry tumbleweed poses a serious fire danger. The plant is potentially harmful for grazing livestock, as it contains saponins causing liver damage in animals.[5]

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References
  1. "Panicum hillmanii Chase". USDA. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  2. "Occurrence records: Panicum hillmanii". The Australasian Virtual Herbarium. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  3. "Panicum hillmanii Chase". Flora of Victoria. Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  4. Donovan Stewart Correll; Marshall Conring Johnston (1970). Manual of the vascular plants of Texas. Texas Research Foundation. p. 180.
  5. Clarke, Madeleine (15 February 2018). "'Panic' takes over the Riverina, but it's not hairy". The Daily Advertiser (Wagga Wagga). Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  6. "Panicum hillmannii Chase". Tela Botanica. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  7. "Panicum hillmanii". Manual of Alien Plants of Belgium. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
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