Dichanthelium sphaerocarpon

Dichanthelium sphaerocarpon
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Clade:	Commelinids
Order:	Poales
Family:	Poaceae
Subfamily:	Panicoideae
Genus:	Dichanthelium
Species:	D. sphaerocarpon
Binomial name
Dichanthelium sphaerocarpon (Elliott) Gould
Synonyms
Panicum polyanthes

Dichanthelium sphaerocarpon, also called Panicum polyanthes, common name round-seed panic grass, is a plant found in North America. ^[1] It is listed as endangered in Michigan. ^[1] Dichanthelium sphaerocarpon var. isophyllum is listed as a special concern and believed extirpated in Connecticut. ^[2]

Description

D. sphaerocarpon may reach a height of 1.5 to 5 decimeters (approximately 0.49 to 1.64 feet). The blades can reach a length of up to 9.5 centimeters (approximately 3.74 inches) and a width between 2 and 20 millimeters. ^[3]

Distribution and habitat

This species can be found in the eastern United States, with its range stretching from Massachusetts south to Florida and westward to Texas. ^[4]

D. sphaerocarpon grows in thin woods, meadows, and ditches. It is commonly found in dry, sandy soil. ^[5]

References

1. NRCS. "Dichanthelium sphaerocarpon". PLANTS Database. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 18 April 2021.
2. "Connecticut's Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Species 2015". State of Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Bureau of Natural Resources. Retrieved 17 January 2018. (Note: This list is newer than the one used by plants.usda.gov and is more up-to-date.)
3. Radford, Albert E., Harry E. Ahles, and C. Ritchie Bell. Manual of the Vascular Flora of the Carolinas. 1964, 1968. The University of North Carolina Press. 142-158. Print.
4. "USDA Plants Database". plants.usda.gov. Retrieved 2025-08-26.
5. Weakley, A.S. 2020. Flora of the Southeastern United States. Edition of 20 October 2020. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.