This name is not universally accepted. Whilst it is in common use in N. America, the Kew on-line database 'World Checklist of Selected Plant Families' chooses to use Panicum clandestinum L., as the correct name[].

Common Name:

General Information

Dichanthelium clandestinum is a clump-forming, perennial plant producing a tuft of one to a few culms from a rootstock with short, strong rhizomes, it can grow 30 - 100cm tall[, , ].
The plant is very tolerant of poor, acid soils and so is often used in soil reclamation projects in sites such as coal and other mine waste[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Central and eastern N. America - Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia, south to Texas and Florida

Habitat

Moist or dry thickets, shores, borders of alluvial woods[]. Moist, mostly sandy ground[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a sunny position, growing best in a moist, well0drained, sandy soil of moderate fertility. Tolerant of dry, sandy soils of low fertility. Plants can tolerate a pH as low as 3.8[]. Very tolerant of high levels of aluminium in the soil[].
Two seed crops are produced annually: an early crop is produced from erect culms with on an open terminal panicle; in late summer to autumn a later crop is produced in a panicle enclosed in the swollen leaf sheath. The second crop, produced in the enclosed panicle, produces an abundance of seed[].
At least one cultivar has been developed for land reclamation purposes[]. 'Tioga' has been specifically selected for conditions in northeastern USA[].
Plants can be mown up to twice a year[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The major use of this plant is for revegetating disturbed areas where site conditions limit the use of other species. It is tolerant of sites with: a pH as low as 3.8; a concentration of aluminum in the soil that limits growth of most other species; and light textured soils which are droughty and infertile. These tolerances allow the plant to excel when revegetating acid coal and other surface mine spoils, as well as sandy infertile disturbed areas[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - if sowing in situ, this should be carried out in early spring since any seed dormancy is easily overcome by natural stratification in the soil. If site conditions restrict early spring planting, it is advisable to sow seed in late autumn or early winter, while dormant[]. If only small quantities of seed are available, sow in a tray in a cold greenhouse, preferably in the winter. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle, but not before early spring. Plant out when 15cm or more tall[]. Seedlings can be slow to establish[].