Panicum clandestinum L.
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Dichanthelium clandestinum (L.) Gould Deertongue
Deertongue is native to eastern North America. It prefers partially sunny sandy, acidic soils, such as woodlands, savannas, swamps, and stream and pond boundaries. Plants: Plants are 18-54" (45-137 cm) tall, unbranched at first, branching occasionally during the fall. Spreading via their root systems as well as by seed, they often appear in clonal clusters. Stems (culms) are hairy. Leaves: Five to ten clasping, alternate leaves occur along the stem. Each leaf is up to 10" (25 cm) long × 1" (3 cm) wide, and lanceolate, widest about a third of the way from the stem and tapering to a sharp tip. They may have a few thin hairs, increasing in density closer to the stem. Veins are parallel to the long dimension. Flowers: There are two types of flowerheads. Topping the main stem is a panicle that branches into many fine wavy spikelets tipped by flowers that are open, available for pollination. These flowerheads are prominant, 2½-6" (6.3-15 cm) in size, and distinctive. Hidden in the leaf sheaths of secondary branches that appear during the fall are a second type of flowerhead, containing cleistogamous flowers, that is, flowers that never open, instead fertilizing themselves. Flowers appear from June to September. Fruits: Seeds are ~¹/₁₆" (2-2.5 mm) long, ovoid in shape, and somewhat flattened, in green or purple husks. Medical: Deertongue has been used to help treat malaria, but it contains coumarins, which thin the blood and cause liver damage. Online References:
Dichanthelium clandestinum on illinoiswildflowers.info Dichanthelium clandestinum on Discover Life Dichanthelium clandestinum on Wikipedia Dichanthelium clandestinum on gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org Dichanthelium clandestinum on wikis.evergreen.edu Dichanthelium clandestinum on michiganflora.net
About 3" x 3". · 12/12/2020
8/31/2021 · Hackett and Minot Trails, Harpswell, Maine
6/25/2015 · Far and Near
6/21/2017 · Pearl Hill State Park, Townsend, Massachusetts
9/11/2013 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts Dichanthelium clandestinum description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 5 Oct 2021.
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About 2" x 3". · 12/12/2020
(Dichanthelium clandestinum)? · 5/31/2016 · J. Harry Rich State Forest, Pepperell, Massachusetts
6/25/2015 · Far and Near
9/11/2013 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts
About 7" x 9". · 12/12/2020
6/25/2015 · Far and Near
8/31/2021 · Hackett and Minot Trails, Harpswell, Maine Range:
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