Smooth Crabgrass
Digitaria ischaemum
- Native to:
- Belarus, Bulgaria, China, Corse, France, Greece, Hungary, India, Iran, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Krym, Kuril Is., Myanmar, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Sicilia, Spain, Tadzhikistan, Taiwan, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan
Ayotte, Gilles, 1948-
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Digitaria
- Species:
- Digitaria ischaemum
- USDA Symbol:
- DIIS
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
Host Plant for Caterpillars
corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea), Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), Green Cloverworm Moth (Hypena scabra), Southern armyworm (Spodoptera eridania), Thioptera nigrofimbria
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- poor, sandy, well-drained soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- often found in disturbed areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily in warm soil temperatures above 15°C. Light may enhance germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI