| Variable witchgrass
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| Dichanthelium commutatum
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| Poaceae
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Landscape Uses:
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Primarily recommended for natural landscapes and habitat restorations. Identified by Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden as a native that does especially well in shade in this brochure. |
Ecological Restoration Notes: |
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| Availability: |
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Grown by enthusiasts and occasionally by native plant nurseries. |
| Description: |
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Small herbaceous grass. |
| Height: |
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About 3-6 inches tall. As broad as tall except when in flower. |
| Growth Rate: |
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Fast. |
| Range: |
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Southeastern United States west to Texas and south to Miami-Dade County and the Monroe County mainland; Greater Antilles, Mexico and Central America. |
| Habitats: |
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A wide variety of forests. |
| Soils: |
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Moist, well-drained sandy or limestone soils, with humusy top layer. |
| Nutritional Requirements: |
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Moderate; can grow in nutrient poor soils, but needs some organic content to thrive. |
| Salt Water Tolerance: |
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Low; does not tolerate long-term flooding by salt or brackish water. |
| Salt Wind Tolerance: |
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Moderate; grows near salt water, but is protected from direct salt spray by other vegetation. |
| Drought Tolerance: |
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Low; requires moist to wet soils and is intolerant of long periods of drought. |
| Light Requirements: |
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Light shade to moderate shade. |
| Flower Color: |
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Brownish inflorescence. |
| Flower Characteristics: |
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Inconspicuous. |
| Flowering Season: |
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Spring-fall. |
| Fruit: |
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Inconspicuous caryopsis. |
| Wildlife and Ecology: |
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| Horticultural Notes: |
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| Comments: |
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