15: 60. For details, please check with your state. (Panicum pterigodium Trinius; Otachyrium pterigodium (Trinius) Pilger) Paractaenum Paractaenum Palisot de Beauvois, Ess. Panicum capillare Linnaeus, var. It is native plant to most of North America from the East Coast through all of the West Coast and California. Plant species commonly found in the outer deep zone, and designated either FACW or OBL by DEP. Branches diverge multiple times off the central stalk (rachis), green turning reddish purple with maturity, rough-textured with clusters of short, straight hairs in the axils, and a spikelet (flower cluster) at the tip of each branchlet. The plant has a shallow fibrous root system that anchors it in dry or wet soils. while the lower blade surface has a few scattered hairs along the
Map). Facultative. Mature panicles are globular-ovoid in outline and airy in appearance
Kansas Acad. At maturity it fans out, spreading to a width over 20 centimeters. Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. [2] It grows in many types of habitat. Equally likely to occur in wetlands or non-wetlands (estimated probability 34%-66%). 1910. Poaceae Panicum capillare L. Witchgrass Navajo, Ramah - Food, Fodder Use documented by: Vestal, Paul A., 1952, The Ethnobotany of the Ramah Navaho, Papers of the Peabody Museum of American Archaeology and Ethnology 40(4):1-94, page 17 View all documented uses for Panicum capillare L. Each species' global rank is determined by NatureServe. The base of the cluster is typically enclosed by the uppermost leaf sheath. Illinois, this grass is a railroad weed primarily. Many perennials may not be mature enough to bloom during its first year. The branchlets ultimately terminate in solitary spikelets with short
The foliage is occasionally eaten by rabbits and
Witchgrass is an annual grassy weed that is also known as Tickle-grass, Witches-hair or by its scientific name, Panicum capillare. L.ssp. Panicum capillare Linnaeus, var. VIRGINIA: Without data, Clayton 454 (lectotype: BM). What is witchgrass? Usually occurs in wetlands, but occasionally found in non-wetlands. light tan. FOR ALL OTHER USES or more information, read Legal Notices. 94. et al. Introduced in most of Europe, northern and eastern Mediterranean, Caucasus, and various scattered localities (Pakistan, Russian Far East, New Zealand) WSSA list of weeds in North America Other scientific names Common names Propose photo Taxonomy Location in Taxonomic Tree Genus. Panicum capillare Linnaeus, var. include Chaetocnema
illegit. Over wintering seeds allow the next generation to appear. Last Revised by: Curated and maintained by: USDA NRCS National Plant Data Team. Panicum capillare L. witchgrass. (Northern Broken-Dash); also larvae of the leaf-miner moths Elachista radiantella
Vernacular names [ edit ] Deutsch: Haarstige Rispenhirse Retrieved on April 17, 2023, . hillmanii (a.k.a. Panicum hillmanii) is often blue-green rather than purple, has more appressed cluster branches, usually blackish fertile florets, and has a limited range in the southern Great Plains with adventive populations in California; subsp. U.S. Natl. It can also be a weed in nursery crops, landscapes, roadsides, and gardens across a wide range of environmental conditions. hirsutipes Suksdorf, Werdenda 1: 17. servus and Oebalus
It grows in many types of habitat. If available other names are mentioned here, Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available. For noncommercial purposes only, any Web site may link directly to this page. The plant has a shallow fibrous root system that anchors it in dry or wet soils. Lectotypified by Hitchcock & Chase, Contr. Witchgrass is a clumping, summer annual grass with open, branching, flower heads. Panicum capillare is an annual bunchgrass growing decumbent or erect to heights exceeding one meter (3 feet). 1913. Usually found in disturbed areas throughout Louisiana and east Texas The seeds of many Panicums were used as food in the Southwest, however, their importance as a food source was limited because they drop their seeds quickly after ripening (Doebley 1983). 1998, amended. ellipsoid in shape, slightly flattened, and pointed at both
BASIONYM: Panicum capillare Linnaeus 1753. Description:
This annual weed is common in cropland but it is not controlled by atrizine, which is a common crop herbicide. [3] (Florida):Source - Plants in the Preservation of Native Flora of Florida Act. Panicum capillare. If, after following the above advice, then difficulties are still encountered please use the "browse" feature. TYPE: WYOMING: Yellowstone National Park, Lower Geyser Basin, 4 Aug 1897, Rydberg & Bessey 3544 (holotype: NY). 1968: 18. The culms are light green, terete, and
It often occurs as
This Panicoideae article is a stub. You will receive a range of benefits including: The ligule is a fringe of long hairs. The short glume is broadly ovate in shape; it often becomes
15: 60. (2004), Needham et al. that contains sand, gravel, or hard-pan clay. Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. This species has been reported in the following counties by the herbaria listed. (Definitions from: American Heritage Science Dictionary). Panicum capillare: WITCHGRASS: Panicum dichotomiflorum var. More >>>. (including the limestone ballast), fields, construction sites, and
Periods of
pale purple, otherwise the
Listed as Threatened Plants in the Preservation of Native Flora of Florida Act. philadelphicum and Panicum gattingeri,
in length) and a panicle that is
from Witch Grass (Kieckheffer & Lunden, 1983). unintentionally); has become naturalized. This species has been reported in the following counties by the herbaria listed. pedicels. When ripe, the seeds burst out and quickly scatter for long distances in the wind. about
It has longer
There are no uses defined for this plant. The PLANTS Database includes the following data sources of Panicum capillare L. How do you kill quack grass without killing grass? larvae of the gall fly Calamomyia
image, please click it to see who you will need to contact. capillare. Spikelets are often dark purple at maturity. Garlic mustard is an example of a biennial. Panicum capillare capillare
If you have important information about this plant that may help other users please add a comment or link below. primary branches occur. The Go Botany project is supported There are 2 recognized subspecies of Panicum capillare: subsp. 15: 181. It shows up just about any place the soil has been disturbed including road ditches, field margins, empty lots, and your back yard garden. Furthermore, a search of "Virginia snake" or even "nia snak" yields one result: Virginia snakeroot. 58. Uses Edible uses Notes Seed - cooked whole or ground into a powder and used as a flour [1]. Bunch. evidence (herbarium specimen, photograph). It is common throughout California and grows at elevations to about 4900 feet (1500 m). * Exclusive content not on the website A species of plants native to the state that are in imminent danger of extinction within the state, the survival of which is unlikely if the causes of a decline in the number of plants continue, and includes all species determined to be endangered or threatened pursuant to the Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. (Corn Flea Beetle), leaf-mining larvae of the beetle Glyphuroplata pluto,
Obligate Wetland. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water. 47, pl. The fertile floret encasing the grain (seed) typically falls away early, leaving the glumes and sterile lemma temporarily persisting on the stalk, but they, too, eventually drop off. It is sometimes introduced to seed crops in the seed. Staff-only pages plants. little-exerted from the uppermost leaf. blade surface is hairless to densely covered with appressed hairs,
N. witch panicgrass. Panicum capillare (Witchgrass) Pick an image for a larger view. Perennial wildflowers re-grow each season from overwinter root material. Panicum barbipulvinatum Nash ex Rydberg, var. Kingdom. Sci. Midl. For example, matching the full name exactly in a Scientific Name search for Piptochaetium avenacioides may be difficult, but strings of either tium aven or avenaci or m avenac or pipto will all result in very small lists of matches. It is often mixed with corn[[161, 177]. Occurs in wetlands in another region, but occurs almost always (estimated probability 99%) under natural conditions in non-wetlands in the regions specified. General Information:A textural grass cut stem useful for a bouquet addition for the professional cut flower grower. P. capillare has been observed to host seed bugs from the Lygaeidae family such as Blissus leucopterus and planthoppers from the Dictyopharidae family such as Scolops spurcus. Because this grass has a C4 metabolism, most growth
Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs. Panicum capillare L. Plant(s); Witchgrass (Panicum capillare). Vascular - Exotic. Panicum elegantulum Panicum elegantulum Suksd. post Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.EmeticAn infusion of the leaves has been used as an emetic[257]. agreste Gattinger Range &
edit this page to add it. Flowers bloom from June through November. Unfortunately, we cannot provide individual solutions to specific pest problems. 1776. Panicum capillare Linnaeus, var. Identify. Grasses. Hardiness Degree: 40F (4.4C) Blooming Season: Spring, Late Spring, Summer, Autumn, Late Summer. Conservation, cultivation, and restoration The caterpillars of several skippers feed on the foliage of panic
Each culm
Alkaline soil is readily
In contrast, the branchlets of
produces a single grain. These aphids
Common Name: Common Panic Grass; Oldfield Witch Grass; Old Witch Grass. barren waste areas. include Macrosiphum
Source - Florida Invasive Species Council's 2017 List of Florida's Most Invasive Species. Denotes synonyms that are applicable to the state. size of
Witches' Broom Fungus - Symptoms Of Witches' Broom In Blackberries, Cherry Witches Broom Info: What Causes Witches Broom Of Cherry Trees, Signs And Symptoms Of Witches' Broom On Trees And Shrubs, Best Trees For Carbon Sequestration And Climate Change, Common Flowering Quince Diseases And Pests, These Weeds That Spread By Seed Can Sprout After Years, What Is Molybdenum: Information On Molybdenum Sources For Plants, Lettuce And Frost: Does Lettuce Need To Be Protected From Frost. Use documented by: Romero, John Bruno, 1954, The Botanical Lore of the California Indians, New York. An occasional weed in Britain. are sometimes considered varieties of Witch Grass as well. Panicum capillare Linnaeus, var. Prick out the seedlings into trays or individual pots and plant them out after the last expected frosts[200, K]. Show cross-pollinated by the wind or they are self-fertile. Open, airy, heavily branched cluster generally taller than wide when fully expanded, 5 to 20 inches tall and 3 to 9 inches wide with profuse, wiry, widely-spreading branches. These ranks carry no legal status. This definition does not rely on the economic severity or geographic range of the problem, but on the documented ecological damage caused. Open sandy or stony soil or cultivated land in N. America[43]. Surin. There are no functions defined for this plant. (1928), Felt (1917), Froeschner (1942), Wheeler et al. an annual member of the Panicum genus in the family Gramineae. spinosus, the plant bugs Collaria meilleuri
New England More more information, see Clark et al. Data Source. terminates in a strongly branched panicle of solitary spikelets that is
You can unsubscribe at anytime. Any of various plants that have the vascular tissues xylem and phloem. hairy, often becoming rather ragged in appearance with age. Note: All comments are moderated before posting to keep the riff-raff out. Anthropogenic (man-made or disturbed habitats), meadows and fields, shores of rivers or lakes, Occurs in wetlands or non-wetlands. The Hopi ground the seeds of witch panicgrass to use in cooking. The leaf sheaths are light green to reddish
Other insect feeders
These live protected among the dense fungal hyphae and produce carbohydrates for the fungus by photosynthesis. agreste Gattinger, Tennessee Fl. Faunal Associations:
* Please note: the comments by website users are not necessarily those held by PFAF and may give misleading or inaccurate information. Photographic Location:
The grass can get 30 inches tall with a bunching habit. The global rank reflects the species worldwide rarity. vulgare Scribn. [2] Archaeobotanical evidence suggests millet was first domesticated about 10,000 BP in Northern China. vulgare Lamson-Scribner, Grasses Tennessee 2: 44. Identification Numbers. Your email address: (required)
Panicum miliaceum is a grain crop with many common names, including proso millet, broomcorn millet, common millet, hog millet, Kashfi millet, red millet, and white millet. Help us fill in the blanks! (Greenbug). 2023 feed on these grasses (Bouseman et al., 2006; Needham et al., 1926). In
Owing to this partnership, lichens can thrive in harsh environments such as mountaintops and polar regions. Herb. Habitat A characteristic species of sand bars and river banks. Intro paragraph to be provided by New York. of plants. This lawn weed can produce a seed head that\'s half the length of the entire plant. Sign up for our newsletter. Do you know of some? all characteristics, there is more than one floret per spikelet, there are at least two distinct forms of florets within one spikelet, the spikelets are elliptic (widest in the middle, tapering to the ends) in profile, the spikelets are lanceolate (lance-shaped, widest below the middle and tapering narrowly to the ends) in profile, the stems trail at the base, but turn upwards at the tips. Scientific Name: Panicum capillare. Photos by K. Chayka taken in Hennepin and Ramsey counties. It can be found as an introduced species in Eurasia, and as a weed in gardens and landscaped areas. General Information: A textural grass cut stem useful for a bouquet addition for the . We are currently updating this section. The sheath is densely hairy, the edges overlapping near the tip. spreading hairs. Witchgrass is a common weedy native species throughout all of Minnesota and indeed throughout much of North America. long, broadly
colonies that are dominated by the airy panicles. The ligules
(rough-textured). FAC). Grass
(Broomcorn Millet), has been introduced from Eurasia. BASIONYM: Panicum barbipulvinatum Nash ex Rydberg 1900. The grains are shiny, egg-shaped to oblong-elliptic, 1.5 to 2 mm long and 1/3 to 2/3 as wide. donations to help keep this site free and up to date for There are no interactions listed for Panicum capillare. County documented: documented 1927. CT, MA, ME, panici, the stilt bug Jalysus
agreste Gattinger 1887. Help support this site ~ Information for sponsor opportunities. ), including Hesperia
ReferencesCarbon Farming Information andCarbon Sequestration Information. pugnax, and such grasshoppers as Phoetaliotes nebrascensis
a discussion of these differences. barbipulvinatum (Nash ex Rydberg, Tzvelev, Novosti Sist. While D. cognata also has a single fertile floret in a spikelet, it is further distinguished by the lower glume reduced to a tiny scale, leaves narrower and stiffer, and the whole plant much less to mostly hairless throughout. An infusion of the plant has been used as a reducing aid when dieting[257]. NH, A large group of seedless green plants including the mosses, liverworts, and hornworts. Rolled. Native Plant Trust or respective copyright holders. Panicum capillare is a ANNUAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in). 2023.
Witchgrass (Panicum capillare) is a common summer annual weed of field crops and small fruit in NYS. PANICUM CAPILLARE Linnaeus, Sp. Stay informed about PFAFs progress, challenges and hopes by signing up for our free email ePost. (Hobomok Skipper), Polites themistocles
Requires a moderately fertile well-drained soil in full sun. Acknowledgements It is often mixed with corn [ [2] [3]. It takes over in disturbed areas, dry ditches, fields and almost any under grown soil area. 1895. N. America - Nova Scotia to North Dakota, south to Florida and Texas. It is green to blue- or purple-tinged in color. the base of the culms. Midl. The stems are hairy and erect with a large panicle produced in summer. 25: 86. Witchgrass (Panicum capillare) has clusters of flowers that separate from the rest of the plant and roll, tumbleweed-like, across the earth. 3. Considered one of the least valuable of Panicum for rangeland plants. Pl. Witch Panicgrass Panicum capillare. The book suggests that community and small-scale food forests can provide a real alternative to intensive industrialised agriculture, and help to combat the many inter-related environmental crises that threaten the very future of life on Earth. Witch
Immature panicles are
Pick an image for a larger view. Forked from the PFAF database (read more). Witchgrass is known as a "panic grass," which means that it removes CO2 from the air much more effectively than other plants. + Expand All - Collapse Specimens and Distribution. grasses (Panicum spp. It is a widespread weed of a range of crops. (2009), Brust
The grains are about 1.5 mm. A voucher specimen is a pressed and thoroughly dried plant sample deposited in a herbarium, and is intended to be a permanent record supporting research purposes. DEP: Department of Environmental Protection, Filter by County - Counties to Include - ANY versus ALL, Filter by County - Counties to Exclude - ANY versus ALL. larvae of the fly
Naturalist 4: 212. from the widely spreading branchlets; they are up to 1' long
holotype: TENN). The flowers are produced in a well-developed panicle often up to 60 cm (24 in) in length with numerous . See our Home page, or in the U.S., contact your local Cooperative Extension office for assistance. Do you know of some? The root system
Panicum capillare L. witchgrass. We are working to bring back full functionality. Nizh. The best option for control is utilizing chemical herbicides. are short-hairy. The sterile lemma is opposite the upper glume on the spikelet and about the same length, extending just above the fertile floret, hiding it, and is prominently veined. Herb. Also covers 1: 21. For a list of references used on this page please go here. 3: 186. Adaptive Species. Leaves are flat with pointy tips, about 2 to 10 inches (625 cm) long, 1/5 to 4/5 of an inch (0.52 cm) wide, covered with short to long spreading hairs, and rolled in the bud. All images and text and 1' across. witchgrass, panicgrass, ticklegrass, tumble panic, tumbleweed grass, witches hair, annual witchgrass, common panic grass, common witchgrass. Photos courtesy Peter M. Dziuk taken in Hennepin County and elsewhere across the state. Once it has bloomed and set seed, the plant dies. Facultative Wetland. Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources TYPE: Paractaenunm . funnel-shaped with a dense concentration of branchlets and spikelets. ANY - WAP critieria is not taken into consideration, No - Show results without WAP designations, Any - Persisting critieria is not taken into consideration, Yes - Show results with a Persisting value of, No - Show results without Persisting value of. 1914. Cultivated occurrences are not mapped. It is hardy to UK zone 5. more exerted from the uppermost leaf. Can you please help us? Note: when native and non-native Milium capillare Rottbll, Descr. state. The seed is very small and fiddly to use, it has a mild flavour and can be used like millet[K]. the panicle is hairy, particularly at the swollen nodes where the
Plant species that are not expected to be seen in wetlands. Panicum capillare is a ANNUAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.3 m (1ftin). Populations of Panicum capillare have been known to persist through repeated annual burning. Panicum capillare L. witchgrass. crown, otherwise it is
Certainty Herbicide is a selective, post-emergent herbicide meaning that . Witchgrass (Panicum capillare). Witchgrass weeds can be controlled with most annual weed herbicides. Vantage Press, Inc., page 66 View all documented uses for Panicum capillare L. Scientific name: Panicum capillare L. USDA symbol: PACA6 (View details at USDA PLANTS site) Common names: Witchgrass Family: Poaceae Family (APG): Poaceae Any species which is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. The Hopi ground the seeds of witch panicgrass to use in cooking. U.S. Natl. and Collaria oculata,
1968. ), please check the links and invasive species pages for additional resources. This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022. 1985. Panicum capillare var. Plant species commonly found in the deep zone, and designated either FAC or OBL by DEP. A similar example in a Common Name search is Virginia snakeroot. 1887. (Corn Leaf Aphid), Rhopalosiphum
during late summer and early fall, lasting about 2 weeks for a colony
Deep Species. the ground like a tumbleweed, distributing the grains. The association between the different organisms in a lichen is so close that lichens are routinely referred to as a single organism, and scientists classify lichens using the name of the fungal component. Witch Grass differs
It is green to blue- or purple-tinged in color. It prefers open
These latter
Use documented by: Elmore, Francis H., 1944, Ethnobotany of the Navajo, Sante Fe, NM. Free and Open Access to Biodiversity Data. collare (Mottled Sand Grasshopper), and Arphia sulphurea
Species: Panicum capillare Linnaeus. 2023 Ball Horticultural Company. Built using MediaWiki and Semantic MediaWiki. Working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. It is in flower from August to September. The fertile floret is smaller, slightly flattened, and usually straw-colored at maturity, sometimes turning blackish. Herb. and Elachista solitaria
Ligules are composed of a fringe of hairs. occidentale Rydberg, Contr. Herbivory and toxicology. Rar. A voucher may be a record of a plant's occurrence in a particular area, or a specific example of a plant used in a scientific investigation. long, ellipsoid-ovoid in
The upper
capillare An overview of the individual specimens are provided in the table that follows. RI, (Sulphur-winged Grasshopper). Preferred name: Panicum capillare Authority: Linnaeus Notes Canada, USA, Mexico, Caribbean (Cuba). TYPE: MONTANA: Gallatin Co.: Manhattan, sand bar in the Gallatin River, 19 Jul 1895, Shear 436 (holotype: US). two species have more narrow leaf blades (up to 8-10 mm. This makes controlling witchgrass something of a challenge, but there are methods of witchgrass weed control that are effective when used consistently. Panicum elegantulum Suksdorf, Werdenda 1: 16. It is similar to two other tumblegrass species in Minnesota, Fall Witch Grass (Digitaria cognata) and Purple Lovegrass (Eragrostis spectabilis), both of which are perennial and have hairless stem nodes, where Witchgrass is annual with densely hairy nodes. Contact UC IPM, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California, 2016 Regents of the University of California Panicum capillare. Contact Webmaster, 2016 Regents of the University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Wash any garden tilling tools to prevent spreading the seed and, in bad cases, rinse off shoes and check pant legs before walking into fields. Outer Deep Species. Thus, these animals help to spread
is fibrous. (Large-headed Grasshopper), Spharagemon
Click the edit button to add them! Map of native plant resources in the upper midwest. 1900. tolerated. Detailed Information Flower: Open, airy, heavily branched cluster generally taller than wide when fully expanded, 5 to 20 inches tall and 3 to 9 inches wide with profuse, wiry, widely-spreading branches. you. Category I - Species that are invading and disrupting native plant communities in Florida. Facultative Upland. To reuse an Hint: Correct spelling is necessary for desired results, but because this function is a string search the full name need not be entered. capacity to pass through the digestive tracts of horses, cattle, swine,
The last is due to the dry brittleness of the panicle, which breaks off easily and tumbles away in the wind. Cite error: tag with name "PFAFimport-17" defined in is not used in prior text. Germination should take place within a week. Only comments or links that are felt to be directly relevant to a plant will be included. This also means that it will grow . individual plants. If you think a comment/link or information contained on this page is inaccurate or misleading we would welcome your feedback at admin@pfaf.org. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. vulgare Scribn. The stems are hairy and erect with a large panicle produced in summer. Panicum capillare has 0 edible uses listed, Panicum capillare has 0 material uses listed, Panicum capillare has 0 medicinal uses listed, Seed - cooked whole or ground into a powder and used as a flour, An infusion of the leaves has been used as an emetic. It can be found as an introduced species in Eurasia, and as a weed in gardens and landscaped areas. The National Wetland Plant List: 2014 Update of Wetland Ratings. Take a photo and from another common species, Panicum dichotomiflorum
Nodes are densely hairy and green to purplish. Usually occurs in wetlands (estimated probability 67%-99%), but occasionally found in non-wetlands. Controlling witchgrass starts with cultural amendments and finishes with a chemical herbicide for complete management. Family: POACEAE. Distribution Map: Based on vouchered plant specimens only. Panicum capillare, known by the common name witchgrass, is a species of grass. All rights reserved. A gravelly area along a railroad in Urbana, Illinois. Nondiscrimination Statement, Accessibility Leptoloma capillaris (Linnaeus) Smyth, Trans. TSN: 40914. TYPE: VIRGINIA: Without data, Bobart s.n. Kirchner. populations both exist in a county, only native status Witchgrass forms bushy clumps, grows erect to spreading, and can reach 3 feet (0.9 m) tall. Table). vulgare Panicum capillare var. Panicum capillare capillare Grass family (Poaceae) Description: This grass is a summer annual about -3' tall that is usually tufted at the base, sending up multiple leafy culms from the same crown, otherwise it is unbranched or sparingly so. Please give what you can to help us complete this work. U.S. Natl. Shortly
Wunderlin, R. P., B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. 1798. [S. M. Landry and K. N. Campbell (application development), USF Water Institute.] central vein, or it is moderately to densely covered with long
Panicum capillare is an annual bunchgrass growing decumbent or erect to heights exceeding one meter (3 feet). The National Vegetation Survey (NVS) Databank is a physical archive and electronic databank containing records of over 94,000 vegetation survey plots - including data from over 19,000 permanent plots. The entire panicle can detach from the plant and roll across
hot dry weather are readily tolerated. Montana Field Guide. Stems are leafy, multiple from the base, branching from the base as well as the upper stem, erect or sprawling from the base but rising at a node, often very stout, with fibrous annual roots. Subscribe (RSS) Usually found in disturbed areas throughout Louisiana and east Texas The seeds of many Panicums were used as food in the Southwest, however, their importance as a food source was limited because they drop their seeds quickly after ripening (Doebley 1983). The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.