Origin
Dichanthelium commutatum (J.A. Schultes) Gould var. ashei (Pearson ex Ashe) Mohlenbrock, commonly referred to as Ashe's rosette grass, is a species of perennial grass found in North America. It is native to the south-eastern states of the United States, including Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and Louisiana. It is commonly found in dry and sandy habitats such as pine forests, sandhills, and dunes.
Common Names
Aside from Ashe's rosette grass, Dichanthelium commutatum var. ashei also goes by several other common names such as Ashe's panicgrass, coastal panicgrass, and oak-woods rosette grass.
Uses
Dichanthelium commutatum var. ashei grass has several uses. It is used as a forage plant and is highly palatable to livestock. It is also used for erosion control in sandy soils and for reclamation of disturbed habitats. Additionally, the grass is used in landscaping as an ornamental plant.
General Appearance
Dichanthelium commutatum var. ashei has a clumping growth habit, with stems ranging from 30-120 cm in height. The stems rise upright from a basal rosette of leaves, which can grow up to 15 cm wide. The leaves are smooth, narrow and pointed, with a blue-green hue, and can grow up to 30 cm in length. The panicle of the grass has a branched structure bearing spikelets that are one-flowered. The flowers bloom from late spring to early summer, with a yellow-brown to purple-brown hue.
hereLight Requirements
Dichanthelium commutatum var. ashei typically grows in sunny areas with full exposure to direct sunlight. It requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight to thrive. In shaded areas, its growth may be stunted or its leaves may become elongated and narrow as it tries to reach for sunlight.
Temperature Requirements
The ideal temperature range for the growth of this plant ranges between 18°C and 25°C. However, it can tolerate both high and low temperatures. In areas with extreme heat, it may shut down photosynthetic activity to avoid water loss. During the cold season, it goes through dormancy, with its growth becoming slow or halted.
Soil Requirements
Dichanthelium commutatum var. ashei grows best in well-draining soils with a pH range 6.0 to 7.0. It prefers soils with moderate fertility and adequate organic matter content. The plant can tolerate a wide range of soil types, including sandy, loamy, and clayey soils. It also withstands periodic droughts but thrives best in soils with adequate moisture retention capacity.
Cultivation Methods
Dichanthelium commutatum var. ashei is a warm-season grass that prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade. This plant is adaptable and can grow in a range of soil types, but it prefers well-draining soils that are slightly acidic. It's important to prepare the soil by removing any weeds or rocks and adding organic matter before planting. Propagation can be done by seed or division. Seeds can be sown in early spring when the soil temperature reaches 60°F, and the seedlings can be transplanted after they reach 4-6 inches in height. Division is best done in the early spring or fall by dividing the clump into smaller sections and replanting.Watering Needs
Dichanthelium commutatum var. ashei prefers regular watering but can tolerate periods of drought once established. It's important to avoid overwatering, as this plant is susceptible to root rot in poorly-draining soils. Water deeply once a week and adjust according to the soil moisture levels and weather conditions.Fertilization
Fertilizing Dichanthelium commutatum var. ashei is not necessary, as this plant can obtain the necessary nutrients from the soil. However, a light annual application of a balanced fertilizer in the early spring can enhance growth and vigor.Pruning
Pruning or cutting back of Dichanthelium commutatum var. ashei is not necessary, as this grass is a naturally self-cleaning plant. Dead or damaged blades can be removed at any time to maintain the plant's appearance. In late winter or early spring, before new growth begins, the entire clump can be cut back to 2-3 inches to rejuvenate growth and remove dead foliage.Propagation of Dichanthelium commutatum var. ashei
Dichanthelium commutatum var. ashei, commonly known as Ashe's rosette grass, is a native perennial grass species that is typically found in the southeastern regions of the United States. The plant is characterized by its densely packed rosette of leaves, which can grow up to 1 foot in height.
Propagation Methods
Dichanthelium commutatum var. ashei can be propagated through both seed sowing and vegetative propagation.
Seed Sowing
The most common method for propagating Ashe's rosette grass is through seed sowing. Seeds can be harvested from mature plants in late summer or fall and can be sown directly into the desired location or started indoors under controlled conditions.
For successful seed germination, the seeds should be stratified by being stored in a cool, moist environment for at least 2-4 weeks before sowing. Once the seeds have been stratified, they can be sown at a depth of ¼ inch into a well-draining, sandy soil mix. The soil should be kept consistently moist until the seedlings have established themselves.
Vegetative Propagation
While less commonly used than seed sowing, Ashe's rosette grass can also be propagated through vegetative means such as division or rhizome cuttings.
Division involves carefully digging up an established clump of grass and dividing it into smaller sections, which can then be replanted into the desired location. It is best to divide the plant in the early spring before new growth appears.
Rhizome cuttings involve taking a section of the plant's underground stem, or rhizome, and planting it as a cutting. This method can be more difficult and is typically done in combination with division to produce multiple new plants.
No matter which propagation method is used, it is important to keep the newly propagated plants well-watered and in a protected location until they have established themselves.
Disease and Pest Management for Dichanthelium commutatum (J.A. Schultes) Gould var. ashei (Pearson ex Ashe) Mohlenbrock
Dichanthelium commutatum (J.A. Schultes) Gould var. ashei (Pearson ex Ashe) Mohlenbrock, also known as Ashe's panicgrass, is a warm-season perennial grass species that is commonly found in the southeastern United States. While this plant species can generally tolerate a range of environmental conditions, it can still be susceptible to various diseases and pests. As such, proper disease and pest management practices are important to maintain healthy populations of this plant species.
Common Diseases
One common disease that can affect Dichanthelium commutatum var. ashei is rust. The rust fungus can cause yellow-orange to brownish-red pustules on the leaves, stems, and inflorescences of the plant. Rust can reduce plant vigor, stunt growth, and affect the yield of the plant. The best way to manage rust is to remove infected plant parts, promote good air circulation around the plant, and apply appropriate fungicides if necessary.
Another disease that can affect panicgrass is leaf spot. Leaf spot can be caused by various fungal or bacterial pathogens and can result in the formation of circular to irregularly shaped lesions on the leaves. In severe cases, the leaves may turn yellow or brown and drop prematurely from the plant. To manage leaf spot, it is important to prune and remove affected plant parts, avoid overhead watering, and apply appropriate fungicides if necessary.
Common Pests
One common pest that can affect Dichanthelium commutatum var. ashei is the fall armyworm. The caterpillars of this moth species can cause significant damage to the foliage of the plant, resulting in defoliation and reduced plant vigor. To manage fall armyworm infestations, it is important to monitor the plants regularly and apply appropriate chemical or biological insecticides if necessary.
The southern chinch bug is another pest that can cause damage to panicgrass. These small insects can suck the sap from the plant and cause discolored, wilted, or dead areas on the leaves and stems. To manage southern chinch bug infestations, it is important to avoid over-fertilization and maintain a healthy level of soil moisture. Additionally, appropriate insecticides may be necessary to control large infestations.
Overall, maintaining healthy populations of Dichanthelium commutatum var. ashei requires proper disease and pest management practices. By monitoring the plants regularly, removing infected or infested plant parts, and applying appropriate control measures when necessary, it is possible to minimize the damage caused by diseases and pests and promote healthy growth of the plant.
