Sand Crabgrass
Digitaria arenicola
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Digitaria
- Species:
- Digitaria arenicola
- USDA Symbol:
- DIAR7
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep,oct
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Dotted Skipper (Hesperia attalus), 🛑Ottoe Skipper (Hesperia ottoe)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from base following fire; common in fire-maintained sandhill and scrub communities.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, nutrient-poor, well-drained soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to sandy coastal regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI