Family POACEAE
Genus Panicum
Species maximum
SA Plant Number
Basionym Panicum maximum

Panicum maximum is a very hardy, evergreen, clump-forming, robust, densely-leafy, perennial grass. It bears delicate, flowering stems of tiny creamy-coloured seeds with purple sheaths.

From September to March it produces flowers and seeds that the seed-eating birds go mad for. A must for a bird garden as both food and nesting-material plant. It is the host plant of the Eyed Brown butterfly. An excellent grazing grass.

Plant around ponds, in a grassland or even under trees, where it grows well in shade, semi-shade or sun. Cut back to 5 to 10cm above ground level in winter and remove the thatch.

Size: 0,75m to 1m

Seed-eating birds: From September to March it produces flowers and seeds that the seed-eating birds go mad for. A must for a bird garden as both food and nesting-material plant.

Butterfly host plant: It is the host plant of the Eyed Brown butterfly.

Grazing grass: An excellent grazing grass.

Limpopo, North West, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu Natal, Free State, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, Western Cape

Biome:Grassland, Succulent Karoo

Natural Habitat Bushveld, Cliffs, Damp grassland, Evergreen Forest, Grassland, Hill slopes, Moist grassland, Rocky grassland  

Growth Rate: Fast Growing, Evergreen or Deciduous: Evergreen, Hardiness - Frost: Frost Hardy, Plant Type: Grasses, Position: Semi-shade, Position: Shade, Position: Sun - Full, Soil: Well-drained, Garden Uses: Bird Friendly, Garden Uses: Butterfly Host, Garden Uses: Container Plant, Garden Uses: Damp areas, Garden Uses: Groundcover, Garden Uses: Local to Gauteng, Garden Uses: Long Flowering, Hardiness - Drought: Needs Watering, Garden type: Grassland Garden, Garden type: Wetland and Marsh Gardens, Garden type: Wildlife Garden,

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