Panicum

Panicum (panicgrass) 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 – tall.

The flowers are produced in a well-developed panicle often up to 60 cm in length with numerous seeds, which are 1 – long and 1 – 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.

Australia has 29 native and 9 introduced species of Panicum.

Well-known species include P. miliaceum (proso millet) and P. virgatum (switchgrass).

Selected species
• Panicum abscissum (endemic to Florida)

• Panicum amarum  – bitter panicum (North America)

• Panicum anceps  – beaked panicum (United States)

• Panicum antidotale  – blue panicum (South Asia, Himalayas)

• Panicum capillare  – witchgrass, tumbleweed (North America)

• Panicum coloratum  –  kleingrass, coolah grass, Bambatsi panic (Africa)

• Panicum decompositum  – native millet (Australia)

• Panicum dichotomiflorum  – fall panicgrass (North America)

• Panicum effusum  – hairy panic (Australia, New Guinea)

• Panicum fauriei  – Faurie's panicgrass (endemic to Hawai'i)

• Panicum flexile  – wiry panicgrass (eastern North America)

• Panicum hallii  – Hall's panicgrass (North America)

• Panicum havardii  – Havard's panicgrass (North America)

• Panicum hemitomon  – maidencane (Americas)

• Panicum hillmanii  – Hillmann's panicgrass (North America)

• Panicum hirticaule  – Mexican panicgrass (Americas)

• Panicum lycopodioides  – false club-moss panic grass (Réunion)

• Panicum maximum  – Guinea grass, buffalo grass (Africa, Palestine, Yemen)

• Panicum miliaceum  – proso millet, common millet (domesticated)

• Panicum niihauense  – lau 'ehu (endemic to Hawai'i)

• Panicum obtusum  – vine mesquite grass (North America) (possible synonym of Hopia obtusa)

• Panicum pygmaeum  – Australian native dwarf panicum, rainforest panicum

• Panicum repens  – torpedo grass (widely introduced)

• Panicum rigidum  (endemic to Socotra)

• Panicum simile  – two colour panic (Australia)

• Panicum socotranum  (endemic to Socotra)

• Panicum sumatrense  – little millet (Asia)

• Panicum turgidum  – afezu (Africa, Asia)

• Panicum urvilleanum  – desert panicgrass (North America)

• Panicum virgatum  – switchgrass (North America)

Formerly classified in this genus, according to The Plant List: • Acostia gracilis, formerly named Panicum acostia

• Echinochloa colona – jungle rice, formerly named Panicum colonum

• Echinochloa crus-galli – barnyard grass, formerly named Panicum crus-galli

• Urochloa panicoides – annual signal grass, formerly named Panicum helopus