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Summary
Main Bloom Time: Early fall, Late fall, Mid fall. Form: Spreading or horizontal.
Physical Characteristics
Digitaria sanguinalis is a ANNUAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a fast rate.
It is hardy to zone (UK) 7. It is in flower from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Panicum sanguinale.
Habitats
Cultivated Beds;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Seed
Edible Uses:
Seed - ground up and used as a flour[2, 57, 105]. It has excellent keeping qualities[74] and makes a fine white flour that can be used for semolina[74, 115].
References
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Emetic Ophthalmic VD
A decoction of the plant is used in the treatment of gonorrhoea[218]. A folk remedy for cataracts and debility, it is also said to be emetic[178, 218].
References
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Other Uses
Paper
A fibre obtained from the plant is used in making paper[74]. Animals: Fodder/animal feed,
Forage.
Special Uses
References
Cultivation details
Prefers a sandy soil[50]. Requires a warm sheltered position[162]. This species is occasionally cultivated, especially in Poland, for its edible seed. Special Features:
Invasive.
References
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
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Propagation
Seed - best sown in situ in the spring[162]. Only just cover the seed.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
crabgrass. hairy crabgrass, hairy finger-grass, large crabgrass, crab finger grass, purple crabgrass. Spanish: alpiste cimar (Honduras); frente de toro (Honduras); fresadilla (Honduras); garrachuelo; pasto de cuaresma (Argentina); pendejuelo (Nicaragua); sombrillitas (Honduras); zacate digitaria (Honduras); zacate pata de gallina (Honduras). French: manne terrestre; panic sanguin; sanguinette. Portuguese: milha-digitada. Argentina: pasto colchón, pasto cuaresma. Brazil: milha-de-pendao. France: Digitaire sanguine. Germany: Bluthirse; Fingerhirse, Blutrote. Italy: sanguinella. Netherlands: Bloedgierst. Spain: pata de gallina.
Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Chile, China, Cuba, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, Korea Republic of, Malaysia, Myanmar, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Uruguay, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, USA, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Vietnam.
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
D. sanguinalis is a noxious weed particularly common in maize, beet, vegetable crops, orchards and vineyards. It is one of the major weeds found in early-sown rice. It is also found on waste ground, railway embankments, neglected lawns and grassy ridges [1d].
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed.
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
(L.)Scop.
Botanical References
50200
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
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