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Broad-Leaved Panicgrass

Dichanthelium latifolium

Last reviewed: September 2026

Broad-Leaved Panicgrass (Dichanthelium latifolium)
Photo: (c) Zihao Wang, some rights reserved (CC BY)

Toxicity unknown

Broad-Leaved Panicgrass (Dichanthelium latifolium) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Broad-Leaved Panicgrass as toxic to livestock.

Light

part sun

Water

medium

Size

12"–36" H × 6"–18" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AL, AR, CT, DE and 29 more states

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Ozark HighlandsCentral Irregular PlainsWestern Corn Belt PlainsNorthern Lakes and ForestsNorth Central Hardwood ForestsDriftless AreaSoutheastern Wisconsin Till PlainsCentral Corn Belt PlainsEastern Corn Belt PlainsSouthern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift PlainsHuron/Erie Lake PlainsNortheastern HighlandsNortheastern Coastal ZoneNorthern Allegheny PlateauErie Drift PlainNorthern ForestsMiddle Atlantic Coastal PlainNorthern PiedmontSoutheastern PlainsBlue RidgeRidge and ValleyCentral AppalachiansWestern Allegheny PlateauInterior PlateauInterior River Valleys and HillsAcadian Plains and HillsEastern Great Lakes LowlandsAtlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Broad-leaved panic grass is a native warm-season grass that forms loose clumps with wide, soft leaves. It produces delicate, airy seed heads from summer through fall and goes dormant in winter, turning golden-brown.

In an HOA neighborhood

Broad-Leaved Panicgrass takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

  • Looks weedy and unkempt to untrained eyes
  • Dormant winter appearance is very messy
  • Seed heads may be seen as maintenance issue

Wildlife value

The seeds provide food for songbirds and small mammals. As a native grass, it supports various insects and provides nesting material for birds.

Common questions

How much sun does Broad-Leaved Panicgrass need?
Broad-Leaved Panicgrass grows best in part sun conditions.
When does Broad-Leaved Panicgrass bloom?
Broad-Leaved Panicgrass blooms in June, July, August, and September.
Where is Broad-Leaved Panicgrass native?
Broad-Leaved Panicgrass (Dichanthelium latifolium) is native to AL, AR, CT, DE and 29 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
Is Broad-Leaved Panicgrass toxic to livestock?
The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Broad-Leaved Panicgrass as toxic to livestock.
Is Broad-Leaved Panicgrass HOA-friendly?
Broad-Leaved Panicgrass takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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