Old Witch Grass (Panicum capillare)

Family: Poaceae or Gramineae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Panicum capillare is a ANNUAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds

Harvest Seasons: Late Summer, Fall, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

mild flavour and can be used like millet. — Seed - cooked whole or ground into a powder and used as a flour.; It is often mixed with corn[.; The seed is very small and fiddly to use, it has a mild flavour and can be used like millet.; In the wild, the seed stem breaks off when the seed is ripe and then blows away in the wind, scattering the seed.

Habitat & North American Range

Open sandy or stony soil or cultivated land in N. America. An occasional abundant weed of carrot crops in E. Anglia. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)