Pest Photo

James H. Miller & Ted Bodner, Southern Weed Science Society, Bugwood.org

Switchgrass; Panic grass

Panicum virgatum

Switchgrass; Panic grass (Panicum virgatum) is an invasive plant. It was first detected in Idaho in 1989.

Switchgrass is one of the dominant species of the central North American tallgrass prairie and can be found in remnant prairies, in native grass pastures, and naturalized along roadsides. It is used primarily for soil conservation, forage production, game cover, as an ornamental grass, and more recently as a biomass crop for ethanol. There are concerns that it could become an invasive species and destroy native habitats.