Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.1071203
Element CodePMPOA242C0
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusProvisional
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassMonocotyledoneae
OrderCyperales
FamilyPoaceae
GenusDichanthelium
Other Common NamesPanic laineux (FR)
Concept ReferenceThomas, J.R. 2015. Revision of Dichanthelium sect. Lanuginosa (Poaceae). Phytoneuron 2015-50: 1–58.
Taxonomic CommentsThomas (2015) here narrows the concept of Dichantelium acuminatum var. fasciculatum (= D. lanuginosum sensu stricto) by treating Panicum subvillosum (= D. subvillosum) as distinct.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2026-03-19
Change Date2026-03-19
Edition Date2026-03-19
Edition AuthorsSoteropoulos (2026)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank ReasonsDichanthelium lanuginosum is a wide-ranging perennial graminoid found in a variety of habitat types, including old fields, prairies, glades, woodlands, and forest edges. It occurs in North America from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick west to British Columbia, Canada, south throughout much of the United States to northeastern Mexico, though it is most common in the central and eastern United States. There are over 900 occurrences, which potentially face threats from development, road maintenance, logging, and invasive species. Little is known about trends, but with a large range extent and large number of occurrences, abundant habitat, and broad habitat preferences, this species is considered secure.
Range Extent CommentsDichanthelium lanuginosum occurs in North America from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick west to British Columbia, Canada, south throughout much of the United States to northeastern Mexico, though it is most common in the central and eastern United States (Thomas 2015). Range extent was estimated to be over 13 million square kilometers using herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between 1994 and 2025 (RARECAT 2025, GBIF 2026, iNaturalist 2026, NatureServe 2026, SEINet 2026).
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between 1994 and 2025, it is estimated that there are over 900 occurrences rangewide (RARECAT 2025, GBIF 2026, iNaturalist 2026, NatureServe 2026, SEINet 2026). Due to different treatments of this entity, herbarium records and photo-based observations may underrepresent true abundance.
Threat Impact CommentsAlthough threats are not widely documented, this species is potentially threatened by stressors, including development, road maintenance, logging, and invasive species. However, their overall impact is likely negligible given the species' broad range, large number of occurrences, tolerance of light disturbance, and affinity for typically abundant habitats.