Coleataenia anceps aka Beaked Panic Grass

Coleataenia anceps, or beaked panicgrass, belongs to the grass family, Poaceae. This perennial grass grows in the central and eastern United States. Its range runs from Maine to Florida and west to Texas. It grows in pine woods, coastal forests, and roadside ditches. These sites include sandy and loamy ground, from dry to moist. Its leaves fall at the end of the growing season.

Plants reach 2–4 feet [0.6–1.2 metres] tall and form large clumps. Short rhizomes help the clumps spread across the ground. The leaves can make a thick cover over small patches. Flat, green blades stand upright and crowd around the base. Each leaf has clear veins and a smooth edge. The leaves grow in an alternate pattern along the stems. The green stems have smooth surfaces and lack scent. The plant grows fast, with both upright and arching growth.

Flowers appear from June through October in loose, branched panicles. Each panicle measures 0.5–1.2 feet [0.15–0.36 metres] long. Small spikelets sit at uneven points along these branches. Their beaked tips give this grass its common name. The plant makes many seeds, which ripen for harvest in September. Birds and some waterfowl eat the seeds. Seeds and short rhizomes both allow the plant to reproduce. Sow seed in fall or early winter to raise new plants.

In gardens, beaked panicgrass prefers part shade and moist to wet soil. It also grows in full sun. Its listed cold-hardiness range covers USDA zones 5 through 9. The grass needs little upkeep and suits border planting. Its clumps provide leafy cover, while its stems offer nest sites for bees. No known insect pests or diseases appear in the source account. That report does not establish freedom from every possible plant problem.

Cattle, horses, and deer graze this grass. Close cattle grazing can cause its basal tufts to spread farther. It has value as forage, but seldom forms a main food supply. The source notes that it rarely grows in great abundance. Wildlife value includes both grazing and food for seed-eating birds. These uses do not establish that people can eat it. The supplied evidence gives no human food use or toxicity assessment.