Dichanthelium acuminatum

Common Names

Tapered Rosette Grass, Hairy Panic Grass, Panic Laineux, Western Panicgrass

Summary

Dichanthelium acuminatum, commonly called hairy panicgrass or tapered rosette grass, is a North American native perennial grass that forms tufted, densely cespitose clumps with basal rosettes; culms reach about 15–75 cm in height, leaves are 2–12 cm long and 2–12 mm wide, and an open primary panicle 3–12 cm long bears small spikelets 1.1–2.1 mm long, with a two-season flowering pattern in late spring to early summer and mid-summer to early autumn.

Cultivation relies on seed propagation, with germination described as rapid after sowing; vegetative propagation by division can also be used to establish dense stands. The Stones River ecotype has been used for propagation and seed production, and the species serves in landscaping as a groundcover in moist, poorly drained sites, offering broad habitat tolerance from dry to wet and occasional autumnal color.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

6 inches-2.5 feet

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full Sun to Partial Shade.

Soil Type

There is no single ideal soil for Dichanthelium acuminatum; it grows on a wide range of soils, including heavy, wet soils; silty loam; sandy loam with high organic content; moist to dry sand; and gravelly soils, with soils often acidic.

Soil Drainage

No single ideal drainage; tolerates a wide range from well-drained to poorly drained soils

Soil pH

6.1, acidic soils

Bloom Color

Brown (including maroon) and green, Yellowish-green to olive and purple

Bloom Time

Spring, Summer, and Fall

Foliage Color

Yellowish-green

Fall Foliage Color

Yellowish-Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

6 months

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, and Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds