Dichanthelium clandestinum aka Deertongue

Dichanthelium clandestinum is a grass that lives for years. It belongs to the grass family, Poaceae. Common names include deertongue and deer-tongue witchgrass. It is native to eastern Canada and the United States. Its US range spans the central and eastern states. It also grows in Myanmar as an introduced plant. In the wild, it grows in damp woods and ditches. It also grows along roads. It forms upright clumps and spreads through stems called rhizomes. These grow below ground and can form colonies where sites suit it.

The pale green stems are round and smooth, or almost hairless. They lack branches in spring but may branch in fall. Flat, lance-shaped leaves grow in turns along each stem. They point up or spread out from the stem. Blades reach about 0.83 feet (0.25 metres) long. Their edges are smooth, but hairs may line the base. The leaf sheaths have veins that run along their length. These sheaths may also have hairs. Hard frost kills the tall stems and their leaves. Low leaf clusters, called rosettes, then stay green through winter.

Flowers appear from May through October in two distinct forms. Spring stems bear open flower heads, called panicles, at their tips. These heads have a pyramid shape. Their branches spread out and end in small spikelets. These small flower groups range from pale green to purple-tinged green. Fall flowers stay inside the leaf sheaths. These smaller flowers use their own pollen to form grains. They do not open to make a showy display. Both forms yield small, egg-shaped grains that are a little flat. Fruit is present from July through December, and at times beyond.

This grass prefers moist, sandy soil and part sun. It also grows in clay and loam. It accepts acid to neutral soil and brief dry spells. Listed light levels range from deep shade to full sun. Chicago Botanic Garden lists USDA hardiness zones 4–8. Growth is fast, with little need for routine care. Gardeners can split plants to make new clumps. In good sites, its spread can grow hard to contain.

Use it in woodland plantings, native gardens, or as a specimen. Its winter rosettes form low ground cover. It can grow in poor, thin soil. This makes it useful on reclaimed mine land. Birds eat the seeds, including sparrows and turkeys. The plant also draws butterflies and small mammals. It has few nutrients, which limits its worth as livestock forage. NC State reports no known insect pests or diseases.