Skip to main content

Starved Witchgrass

Dichanthelium depauperatum

Last reviewed: August 2026

Starved Witchgrass (Dichanthelium depauperatum)
Photo: (c) Zihao Wang, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Zihao Wang

Toxicity unknown

Starved Witchgrass (Dichanthelium depauperatum) 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.

Light

part sun

Water

low

Size

4"–16" H × 2"–8" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AL, AR, CO, CT and 32 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 445 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

Cross TimbersEast Central Texas PlainsSouth Central PlainsEastern Temperate ForestsOzark HighlandsCentral Irregular PlainsPiedmontWestern Corn Belt PlainsNorthern Lakes and ForestsNorth Central Hardwood ForestsDriftless AreaSoutheastern Wisconsin Till PlainsCentral Corn Belt PlainsSouthern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift PlainsHuron/Erie Lake PlainsNortheastern HighlandsNortheastern Coastal ZoneNorthern Allegheny PlateauNorthern ForestsMiddle Atlantic Coastal PlainNorthern PiedmontSoutheastern PlainsBlue RidgeRidge and ValleyCentral AppalachiansWestern Allegheny PlateauInterior PlateauInterior River Valleys and HillsMississippi Alluvial PlainEastern Great Lakes LowlandsAtlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Starved Panicgrass is a small, fine-textured native grass that forms low tufts in the landscape. This drought-tolerant perennial produces delicate seed heads from summer through fall and works well as groundcover or in naturalized areas.

In an HOA neighborhood

Starved Witchgrass 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.

  • Very small size makes it appear sparse in formal settings
  • Natural growth pattern looks unmanicured
  • May be mistaken for weedy grass by HOA boards

Wildlife value

The seeds provide food for songbirds and small mammals. As a native grass, it supports various insects and caterpillars that feed on native grasses.

Common questions

How much sun does Starved Witchgrass need?
Starved Witchgrass grows best in part sun conditions.
When does Starved Witchgrass bloom?
Starved Witchgrass blooms in June, July, August, and September.
Where is Starved Witchgrass native?
Starved Witchgrass (Dichanthelium depauperatum) is native to AL, AR, CO, CT and 32 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
Is Starved Witchgrass HOA-friendly?
Starved Witchgrass 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.

Ready to grow Starved Witchgrass? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

Add this plant to your garden
iPhone appAndroid app

Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz