Southern Crabgrass

Digitaria ciliaris

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Poaceae
Genus:
Digitaria
Species:
Digitaria ciliaris

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Annual
Growth Habit:
Graminoid
Height:
3-4 ft
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
jun, jul, aug, sep, oct, nov

Native Range

United States: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Palau, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, U.S. Minor Outlying Islands, Utah, Virginia, Virgin Islands

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Armyworm moth (Pseudaletia unipuncta), changeable grass-veneer (Fissicrambus mutabilis), Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), Green Cloverworm Moth (Hypena scabra), Green Cutworm (Anicla infecta), Leucania latiuscula, Small Mocis Moth (Mocis latipes), Southern armyworm (Spodoptera eridania), Striped Garden Caterpillar Moth (Trichordestra legitima), 🛑Georgia Satyr (Neonympha areolata), Indian Skipper (Hesperia sassacus), southern broken dash (Wallengrenia otho)

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
Common in disturbed areas and roadsides