• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Texas A&M Forest Service
  • Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostics Laboratory
  • Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
  • Texas A&M AgriLife Research
  • Texas A&M College of Agrculture and Life Sciences
A Diagnostics Tool for Pond Plants and Algae
  • Menu
  • Home
  • Identify a Plant
  • FAQs
    • FAQs List
    • Do I need a permit?
    • Glossary
  • AquaExtension Events & Learning
  • Videos
  • Get Help

Guinea Grass

Panicum maximum

Non-Native


Illustration: USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Hitchcock, A.S. (rev. A. Chase). 1950. Manual of the grasses of the United States. USDA Miscellaneous Publication No. 200. Washington, DC.

What is Guinea Grass?

Physical Characteristics

Leaves:

  • Grass-like
  • 3-6 feet tall

Flowers:

  • Large
  • Branching
  • Clustered
  • Lower branches in whorls

Where Does it Grow?


USDA, NRCS. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.

Non-Native

Guinea grass can be found on the banks of lakes, ponds, and streams and in the shallow water of lakes and ponds.

Is it Invasive?

Guinea grass is non-native to North America and should not be spread.

This plant is not native to North America, but has naturalized in much of the United States. While it is not illegal to possess this plant in Texas, it should not be introduced into new water bodies and should be treated with herbicide when present.

How to Manage This Plant
Plant Glossary

AquaExtension Newsletter

Receive updates on upcoming webinars and newly published materials.

Sign Up Now

Newsletter Archive

Upcoming Events

Jan 21
Featured Featured January 21 @ 6:00 pm - October 21 @ 7:30 pm CST

2025 Aquatic Webinar Series Bundle

Jul 8
Featured Featured 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm CDT

Sizing up a Pond For Realtors & New Landowners

Jul 22
Featured Featured 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm CDT

Pond Management Myth Busting 101: Water Quality Webinar

View Calendar

Search for a type of plant

Hire a Professional Contact Your Ag & Natural Resource Agent Aquatic Plant Nurseries Aquatic Herbicide Tables
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
Texas A&M University System Member

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
Click to view full permission and citation information

Aquatic plant photographs were provided by David Bayne, Jim Davis, Kelly Duffie, Billy Higginbotham, Michael Masser, John Clayton, Chetta Owens, Diane Smith, Joe Snow, Don Steinbach, Bridget Robinson Lassiter and Peter Woods.

You may use these photos, so long as you give credit to AquaPlant.

  • Compact with Texans
  • Privacy and Security
  • Accessibility Policy
  • State Link Policy
  • Statewide Search
  • Veterans Benefits
  • Military Families
  • Risk, Fraud & Misconduct Hotline
  • Texas Homeland Security
  • Texas Veteran's Portal
  • Equal Opportunity
  • Open Records/Public Information