Witchgrass

Panicum capillare L.

Poaceae (Grass Family)

▲ ▼ mature plants

▲ mature plant

▲ ▼ young plants, showing hairy leaf sheaths

▲ small mature plant

▲ ▼ hairy stems, sheaths & leaves of witchgrass

▲ dried plants in fallow field

Witchgrass: 

·         native, warm-season annual grass, 1-2’ tall

·         whole plant except inflorescences is covered with stiff, fine hairs which are irritating to grazing cattle

·         inflorescences is a large, expanded panicle, often 12-18” tall and ½ as wide, with tiny spikelets at branch tips

·         found in cultivated fields, gardens, non-crop areas as well as pastures

·         seed is often spread with small-seeded forages