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Tall-Swamp Panicgrass

Dichanthelium scabriusculum

Last reviewed: June 2026

Tall-Swamp Panicgrass (Dichanthelium scabriusculum)
Photo: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. 3 vols. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. Vol. 1: 160. Courtesy of Kentucky Native Plant Society. Scanned by Omnitek Inc., no known copyright restrictions (public domain)

Light

part sun

Water

low

Size

8"–24" H × 4"–12" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AL, AR, CT, DE and 15 more states

Tall panic grass is a native bunch grass that forms neat clumps with fine-textured foliage. It produces delicate seed heads from summer through fall and tolerates drought well once established.

In an HOA neighborhood

Tall-Swamp 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.

  • Natural grass appearance may be perceived as weedy
  • Seed heads can look unkempt to traditional landscaping preferences
  • May go dormant in winter creating bare patches

Wildlife value

The seeds provide food for songbirds and small mammals. As a native grass, it supports various insects and their larvae.

Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

Does Tall-Swamp Panicgrass fit your yard? Open it in Pollinator Patch to check it against your sun, soil, and HOA-conscious filters.

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