Witchgrass

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 1/2 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