Cutthroat grass facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cutthroat grass |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Panicum
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| Species: |
abscissum
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Panicum abscissum, also known as cutthroat grass, is a special type of grass. It belongs to the grass family. This plant is endemic to Florida in the United States. This means it grows naturally only in Florida and nowhere else in the world. You can find it in just five counties in the middle of the Florida peninsula.
Contents
All About Cutthroat Grass
What Does It Look Like?
Cutthroat grass is a perennial plant. This means it lives for more than two years. It grows from underground stems called rhizomes. These stems help the plant spread. Its main stems can grow up to 70 centimetres (2.3 feet) (about 2.3 feet) tall.
The leaves of cutthroat grass can be as long as 25 centimetres (9.8 inches) (about 10 inches). It has small flowers that grow in clusters called panicles. These panicles are often purple. The tiny flower parts, called spikelets, are only a few millimeters long.
When Does It Grow?
Most of the growth for cutthroat grass happens between March and June. It blooms best after a wildfire. It rarely blooms if there hasn't been a fire. This shows how important fire is for this plant.
Where Does It Grow?
Cutthroat grass likes to grow in wet, marshy areas. These places are called seepage bogs. You can find them on the Lake Wales Ridge and other ridges in central Florida. This area is known for having many unique plants that grow only there.
The grass grows on moist slopes. These slopes get water from higher ground. You might also see it near ponds in Florida scrub habitats. It can also be found in wet, marshy flatwoods.
Why Is Fire Important?
Areas where cutthroat grass grows are often full of this one type of grass. These plant communities depend on wildfires to stay healthy. Fire helps keep the open grasslands clear. It stops large trees and woody plants from taking over.
One special place it grows is called the cutthroat seepage slope. This area has different small habitats. Each one is shaped by how high it is and how much water is in the ground.
Where Can You Find It?
Most of the cutthroat grass plants are found in Polk and Highlands Counties. A very large group of these grasses lives in a natural area at the Avon Park Air Force Range.
