switch grass

American  

noun

1. a North American grass, Panicum virgatum, having an open, branching inflorescence.

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Etymology

Origin of switch grass

1830–40, alteration of quitch ( grass )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

switch grass

Fifteen billion would be derived from food crops like corn, but much of the rest was to come from the development of cellulosic ethanol: fuel from wood chips, switch grass and the like.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 21, 2025

The newest biofuels don’t compete with food sources, instead producing energy from inedible plants like switch grass or algae.

From Seattle Times ● May 17, 2022

For example, the Friends of Silverwood are using about 16 acres for garden plots, while UW-Madison is using 44 acres for a demonstration project on switch grass.

From Washington Times ● Dec. 17, 2016

The technology isn’t yet commercially viable to make ethanol from switch grass and other cellulosic sources, which would require less energy to produce and release fewer greenhouse gases during manufacturing, use and disposal, Becker says.

From Washington Post ● Feb. 28, 2014

The most common grasses are several varieties of paspalum or carpet grass, switch grass, wire grass, little blue maiden cane and Bermuda.

From Florida: An Ideal Cattle State by Association, Florida State Live Stock