A native, bunched, weedy annual with stout-looking but rather weak leaning stems from 1-3 feet tall. Stems are often slightly bent at the swollen nodes giving them a zigzag appearance (C). The stem, broad leaves (up to 3/4 inch wide) and leaf sheath are smooth and hairless (C). Flower clusters are broad open panicles. Axillary panicles occur at each upper node (B). The largest panicle is at the tip, measuring up to 14 inches long. Outer branches appear thickened because the spikelets are lined up along and quite closely appressed to the secondary panicle branches.
Moist disturbed areas, roadsides, fields. In Fontenelle Forest, Fall Panicum is uncommon along the floodplain portion of Camp Gifford Road. At Neale Woods it is uncommon at the edge of the Krimlofski Tract parking lot. Flowering occurs from August to October.
Fall Panicum shares a broad, open panicle with Witchgrass (Panicum capillare) and Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum). Neither has swollen nodes or zigzag stems. Witchgrass also has prominent hairs on the stem and sheath while those of fall panicum are hairless.
Zigzag Grass, a reference to the appearance of the stem, and Western Witchgrass are other common names for this species.
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