Panicum gymnocarpon

Panicum gymnocarpon
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Subfamily: Panicoideae
Genus: Panicum
Species:
P. gymnocarpon
Binomial name
Panicum gymnocarpon
Elliott
Synonyms[1]
  • Panicum drummondii Nees ex Steud.
  • Panicum monachnoides Desv.
  • Phanopyrum gymnocarpon (Elliott) Nash

Panicum gymnocarpon (commonly referred to as savannah-panicgrass, savannah phanopyrum, swamp phanopyrum) is a species of perennial graminoid native to North America.[2]

Description

Panicum gymnocarpon may reach a height of up to 1 m (3.3 ft). Culms range in length from 60 to 130 cm (2.0 to 4.3 ft). Its leaves are linear in shape and alternately arranged, reaching a length of 15 to 40 cm (6 to 16 in).[3][4]

When inflorescence occurs, panicles reach a length between 10 to 40 cm (4 to 16 in). Spikelets are glabrous and narrowly lanceoloid in shape, ranging in length from 5.5 to 7 mm (0.22 to 0.28 in).[4] Blooms range from brown to green in color and occur from July to October.[5]

Distribution and habitat

Within North America, P. gymnocarpon is found primarily within the southeastern region of the United States.[2] Its range extends from Virginia to Florida and westward to Texas and Oklahoma.[6]

It is considered to be an obligate wetland species across its range.[6] It can be found in habitat types such as swamps, environments with seasonally flooded soils, stream and lake banks, and wet woodlands.[7][4]

References

  1. ^ "Panicum gymnocarpon". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  2. ^ a b Weakley, Alan S. (October 20, 2020). Flora of the Southeastern United States. Chapel Hill, North Carolina: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
  3. ^ "Plants of Louisiana". warcapps.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2025-09-26.
  4. ^ a b c Freckmann, Robert W.; Lelong, Michel G. (May 11, 2021). "Panicum gymnocarpon". Flora of North America.
  5. ^ "Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - The University of Texas at Austin". www.wildflower.org. Retrieved 2025-09-26.
  6. ^ a b "USDA Plants Database". plants.usda.gov. Retrieved 2025-09-26.
  7. ^ "Phanopyrum gymnocarpon (Swamp Phanopyrum) - FSUS". fsus.ncbg.unc.edu. Retrieved 2025-09-26.