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| ## bitter panicum {#bitter-panicum .Title-Header}                     |
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| *Panicum amarum* Ell.                                                 |
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| Plant Symbol = PAAM2                                                  |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program

![Color image of bitter panicum (Panicum
amarum)](media/image2.jpeg){width="3.1251968503937007in"
height="2.1145669291338582in"}

##### Alternate Names {#alternate-names .Header-3}

bitter panicgrass

##### Uses {#uses .Header-3}

*Erosion control*: The principal use for bitter panicum is in coastal
dune erosion control and it may have a role in stabilizing other dry,
sterile areas such as roadsides and minespoils.

*Livestock*: Bitter panicum is consumed by cattle, sheep, and goats.

##### Status {#status .Header-3}

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered
species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

##### Description {#description .Header-3}

*Panicum amarum* Ell., bitter panicum, is a perennial, U.S. native, warm
season grass growing to a height of 7 feet with a growth habit ranging
from erect to prostrate. The leaves are 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide, 7 to 20
inches long, smooth without hair, and bluish in color. A robust grass,
it spreads slowly from short, strong rhizomes to form open clumps. Small
quantities of poor quality seed are produced on compact clusters 6 to 12
inches long and 2 to 4 inches wide.

##### Adaptation and Distribution {#adaptation-and-distribution .Header-3}

Bitter panicum is adapted to very dry sterile sites. It can withstand
periods of extended drought and is somewhat winter hardy.

Bitter panicum is distributed throughout the East and lower Midwest. For
a current distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile page for
this species on the PLANTS Website.

##### Establishment {#establishment .Header-3}

Generally, no site preparation is required when planting bitter panicum.
Freshly dug bareroot shoots (tillers) and rooted or unrooted stem
cuttings can be used to establish plantings. Plant potted plants and
bare root plants in staggered rows 2 to 3 feet apart with plants 2 feet
apart in each row. Place plants 8 to 10 inches deep or deeper in moist
soil. Bury unrooted stems end to end in trenches 4 to 6 inches deep and
2 to 3 feet apart leaving the top 6 to 10 inches of the stem exposed.
Plant unrooted cuttings 3 to a hole in staggered rows 2 to 3 feet apart
with holes 2 feet apart in each row.

Bitter panicum can be established in the fall with cuttings, in late
winter or early spring with potted plants, or in late spring (beginning
of rainy season) with young tillers.

##### Management {#management .Header-3}

During establishment, restrict traffic and livestock grazing. All sites
should be allowed to establish the first year, prior to any grazing.
Once grazing is started do not graze lower than 4 to 6 inches. Apply
fertilizer according to soil test recommendations. Application of
fertilizer may be split.

##### Pests and Potential Problems {#pests-and-potential-problems .Header-3}

There are no known serious pests of bitter panicum.

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) {#cultivars-improved-and-selected-materials-and-area-of-origin .Header-3}

'Northpa' (NC) and 'Southpa' (FL). Planting materials are available from
commercial sources.

##### Prepared By & Species Coordinator:  {#prepared-by-species-coordinator .Header-3}

*USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program*

##### 

##### Edited: 05Feb2002 JLK; 25may06jsp {#edited-05feb2002-jlk-25may06jsp .Header-4}

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

*The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in
all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases
apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication of program information (Braille,
large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s [TARGET
Center](http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm) at 202-720-2600 (voice and
TDD).*

*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or
TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.*

*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation
Service](http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/civilrights/).*