<i>Panicum virgatum </i>plant named ‘Prairie Dog’

Abstract

A new, Panicum virgatum plant as described and illustrated, characterized by a more upright plant with a height of 103 cm.

Claims

1. A new, distinct Panicum virgatum plant as described and illustrated, characterized by an upright plant with a height of 103 cm.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS

(1) FIG. 1. Shows potted plants blooming in August.

(2) FIG. 2. Shows a mature plant in September with greyed-green foliage color.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(3) In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart. The plant herein described is an established 2 year old plant growing in a garden, grown in full sun and irrigated in Hebron, Ill. USA. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plants. Botanical classification: Panicum virgatum cultivar Prairie Dog. Parentage: Both male and female are Panicum virgatum unknown seedlings. Propagation: Vegetative division. Plant description: Overall habit of the new Panicum virgatum is clumping with upright culms topped by green 138 B colored flowers beginning in August. Vigor is moderate. Plant height: 110 cm, Plant width: 45 cm. Foliage and stems: Foliage description.Glabrous, flat blade, sheathed from node of attachment to ligule, linear. Type.Deciduous, grass growing in culms. Shape.Blade. Number of blades typically 5 blades per stem. Sheath.17 mm wide, 19 cm long, surface glabrous. Ligules.Up to 1 mm long and up to 6 mm wide. Blade.10 mm wide, up to 30 cm long. Adaxial leaf description.Leaf color is 189 A throughout the season. Abaxial leaf description.Leaf color is 189 A throughout the season. Veins.parallel, same color, 189 A, as surrounding leaf on top, midrib on the bottom of leaf is 0.5 mm wide and 189 A in color. Culm description.Erect, cylindrical, glabrous, two-thirds enclosed by leaf sheath, typically up to 5 leaves or nodes. Culm dimensions.4 mm wide, 70 cm long without the panicle, 100 cm including the panicle. Length of internodes.Average 10 cm. Color of the internodes is 138 A and B. Number of culms per clump.50 and 250 nodes per plant. Node description.Cylindrical. Number of nodes per culm Average 5. Flower inflorescence: Inflorescence type.Finely branched, terminal panicle, one panicle per culm, beginning in early August and remaining into winter. Panicle.Pyramidal, about 30 cm long and 12 cm wide, overall color 191 B and C with some parts N187 B. Rachis.Terete, branched, glabrous, glaucous 1-2 mm wide at the base and up to 30 cm long, branches 8-10 cm long and less than 1 mm diameter held at about a 60 degree angle above horizontal, color 138 B. Pedicel.Terete, 3-5 cm long and less than 1 mm diameter, color 138 B. Rachilla.6 mm long, and less than 1 mm in diameter, color 138 B. Spikelet.Usually has two flowers, both 1-2 mm wide and 3 cm long. Lower glume.1-2 mm wide, 3 mm long, color 138 B. Lemma.Outer and inner both, 2 mm, 3 mm long, color 138 B. Flower number.Average 450 per culm. Gynoecium.Stigma 2, color 191 B and C with N187 B. Androecium.Anthers 2, color is 168 A. Pollen color 168 A. Anther size.3 mm long by 1 mm wide, color 168 A. Fruit or seeds.Color is 157 A, size is 2 mm wide, 3 mm long. Scent no scent. Roots.stiff, fibrous, and freely branching. Hardiness.United States Department of Agriculture Zones 4-9. Disease resistance.Plants are not more or less susceptible to any major pests or diseases.