Family: Poaceae
Dicanthelium acuminatum (Sw.) Gould & C.A. Clark var acuminatum
Synonymy: Dichanthelium auburn (Ashe) Mohlenbr.; Panicum acuminatum Sw.; Panicum acuminatum Sw. var acuminatum; Panicum auburn Ashe; Panicum benneri Fernald; Panicum chrysopsidifolium Nash
Lower Taxa: none
Origin: Native
Habit: Upright basal clump forming
Habitat: Dry sandy soils
Range: Found throughout NJ
Frequency: Infrequent, widely dispersed
Rank/Status: S3 (P. benneri SX)/G5
Wetland Status: FACU
Flowering & Reproduction: Early Summer, June-early July, vernal panicles, autumnal panicles late July-September; spikelets mature within month of pollination
Comments: This portion of the species includes the short “stiff hairy” rosette species such as Paniucm aurbune. D. acuminatum var. acuminatum includes the NJ endemic, Panicum benneri Fernald. Benner’s panic grass (SX) was known from Stockton, Hunterdon Co. This species is included with D. acuminatum var. acuminatum in this treatment until further study is made of any possible extant Hunterdon County populations. Information on this page reflect author experience and specimens only from Chrysler Herbarium
Reference Specimen: Salem Co., Quinton Township, J.R. Arsenault and T. . Gordon, JRA # 1857, 6/2005, dry sandy roadside.
J.R. Arsenault 01/12/2012