Violet Crabgrass
Digitaria violascens
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Andaman Is., Bangladesh, Borneo, Cambodia, China, Hainan, India, Japan, Jawa, Kazan-retto, Korea, Laos, Lesser Sunda Is., Malaya, Maluku, Myanmar, Nansei-shoto, Nepal, New Guinea, Ogasawara-shoto, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Sulawesi, Sumatera, Taiwan, Thailand, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Vietnam
Harry Rose (www.flickr.com) from South West Rocks, Australia
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Digitaria
- Species:
- Digitaria violascens
- USDA Symbol:
- DIVI2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual | Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- 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
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- As a warm-season grass, can resprout from base after fire disturbance.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- fertile, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers disturbed areas and open habitats
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Germinates readily in warm conditions with adequate moisture.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI