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Plants of the Omaha Indian Reservation
An Ethonobotanical Report
Panicum virgatum American Indian Names
The only Native American name that I found was the Ponca word ¡∫hade watha zhninde and there was no translation or word meaning that was stated. Other common names include: tall panic grass, Wobsqua grass, lowland switch grass, blackbent, tall prairie grass, wild redtop, and thatch grass.
Description Switch grass is a hardy, perennial which begins growth in late spring. It is a native grass and it is called a sod-forming grass because of the way it clumps together and it uses carbon fixation which allows it to live in drought and high temperatures It can grow up to 1.8-2.2 m in height but is not as tall as Big Bluestem or Indiangrass. The leaves are 30-90 cm long with a prominent midrib. The flowers area single at the ends of branches. The fruits are 3 to 6 mm long and up to 1.5 mm wide. The ripe seeds take on a pink or dull-purple tinge, and turn golden brown with the foliage. Location and Habitat It is located throughout Nebraska. It is found in prairies, along roadsides, pastures and as ornamental plants in gardens. It is found throughout the reservation, but not all plants grow to the large sizes that are found in some areas.
Uses Switch grass is grazed by certain animals, and is considered good forage food for livestock. It is used as a ground cover to help fight erosion. As a drought resistant grass, it can be easily grown in average to wet soils and in full sun to partial shade. It has also been considered a good source for biofuel- especially ethanol fuel. It has a huge biomass output(enough for 6-10 tons per acre). Switchgrass was important to the Native Americans because it was a supply of forage for the buffalo.
By Jasten Grant
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