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

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