Panicum antidotale

Giant panic grass, blue panic

Vigorous many-branched perennial with wiry stems up to 2.5 m high and long blue-green leaves. Grows in areas with annual summer rainfall of 500-800 mm and under irrigation. Found on all types of soils, but prefers sandy loams. Resistant to drought, fire and heavy grazing. Palatable pasture and valuable as a fodder crop for light sandy soils in dry areas. When cut or grazed, 25-30 mm of stubble must be left. Stems rapidly become hard and woody and should be grazed or cut before flowering. At the late flowering stage it can acquire a bitter taste and accumulate large amounts of oxalic acid, which may cause kidney disorders.