Description

Panicum virgatum,
Switchgrass (Native)

Tall, 3 – 5 ft, long-lived, strongly-rhizomatous, sod-forming, warm-season grass. Adapted to all soil textures with adequate moisture. Good tolerance to acid, salt and low soil fertility. Good forage and moderately tolerant to grazing. Can be aggressive and invasive in some situations. Excellent for erosion control. Valuable for wildlife habitat for many species. Important species for range, watershed and mining reclamation. Minimum precip. is 18 inches. Plant in spring/summer ¼ – ¾ inch deep. 389,000 seed/lb.

Named Release:‘Blackwell’ (Cultivar) Released in 1944 by the PMC in Manhattan, KS and KS AES. Origin is from near Blackwell, OK. Upland type of medium height with good plant characterists.

‘Neberaska 28’ (Cultivar) Released in 1949 by the NE AES and SCS. Original source was from Holt Co., NE. Early maturing, semi-decumbent, fine stems, medium height. Adapted to diverse soils. Used successfully for pastures and conservation planting.

‘Pathfinder’ (Cultivar) Released in 1967 by the NE AES/ARS. Selected from 12 superior clones from collections from NE/KS. Winter-hardy, vigorous, good forage producer, disease resistant, establishes reasonably easily. Best used for late spring/summer grazing.

‘Trailblazer’ (Cultivar) Released in 1984 by the NE ARS/AES. 25-clone synthetic strain similar to Pathfinder but with higher IVDMD. Used for a good warm-season pasture grass.

Several other also.

USDA: Plant Profile | Fact Sheet