Native Plants

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

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Friday - July 22, 2011

From: Philadelphia, PA
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Is Panicum virgatum native to Pennsylvania
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

Is Panicum virgatum native to PA? I do not see it in your database but it is listed as a native in many places.

ANSWER:

Yes, Panicum virgatum (Switchgrass) is native to Pennsylvania and is in our Native Plant Database. You can follow the link to our webpage on this plant and learn about its light requirements, growing conditions and so forth. This USDA Plant Profile Map shows the counties in Pennsylvania where it is known to grow natively, but plants don't stop at county lines.

From the Image Gallery

Switchgrass
Panicum virgatum