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Glite Dictionary
Panicum capillare

Panicum capillare

9.9
A North American grass with thin, brushy flower clusters that often grows as a weed in fields
  • noun
  • /ˈpænɪkəm kəˈpɪlɛr/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Panicum capillare
  • The slender panicles of Panicum capillare give it a distinctive, brushy appearance.

Examples

  • In many cornfields across the Midwest, Panicum capillare can be a troublesome weed.

  • Farmers often remove Panicum capillare to protect their crops from competition.

  • Look at the Panicum capillare growing near the fence!

  • The Panicum capillare has slender flower clusters.

  • Farmers often remove Panicum capillare to protect their crops from competition.

  • In many cornfields across the Midwest, Panicum capillare can be a troublesome weed.

  • The slender panicles of Panicum capillare give it a distinctive, brushy appearance.

Synonyms

tumble grass
vsPanicum capillare
  • US
9.4

A wild grass with thin brush-like seed heads that grows in fields

is the scientific species term rather than a common name
old witchgrass
vsPanicum capillare
  • US
9.9

A common North American grass with thin, brush-like groups of flowers that grows as a weed in fields

is the scientific species label rather than casual common usage
old witch grass
vsPanicum capillare
  • US
9.6

A North American grass with thin, brush-like flower heads that often grows as a weed

is the species name not the spaced common form

Surface Forms

Panicum capillare singular
Panicum capillares plural

Morphology

Panicum + capillare

This is a Latin binomial: a learner who knows 'Panicum' (a genus of grasses) can reasonably infer the phrase refers to a type of grass, but the species epithet 'capillare' is a Latin form not found in the provided dictionary and its specific sense ('hair-like') is not predictable to a B1 learner. Taxonomic names follow scientific convention rather than everyday compositional rules, so the general category is transparent but the precise species meaning is not.

Etymology

Panicum capillare may come from old words: panicum meaning 'small flower cluster' and capillare meaning 'hair-like'. The grass has very thin, brushy flower heads that look like hair, so the name helps you remember this weedy, brushy plant.