Digitgrass

(Digitaria eriantha)

Digitgrass (Digitaria eriantha)

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Estimated Native Range
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Summary

Digitaria eriantha, commonly known as digitgrass or Pangola-grass, is a perennial grass native to the open savannas and grasslands of Africa, including Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Eswatini. It forms dense tussocks and spreads via extended stolons, reaching heights of 14-71 inches (35-180 cm). The grass is characterized by its fine-textured leaves and narrow, elongated inflorescences that appear during the warm season. Digitaria eriantha is valued for its high forage quality and is widely used in tropical and subtropical regions for pasture.

In cultivation, digitgrass thrives in full sun and requires moderate water. It is well-suited to a variety of soil types, provided they have good drainage. This species is often used for erosion control due to its robust root system and is also planted for livestock grazing because of its high nutritional value. However, it can become potentially invasive outside its native range due to its aggressive growth habit. Gardeners should be cautious and check local regulations before planting.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type: Grass
  • Height: 1.5-3 feet
  • Width: 2-4 feet
  • Growth Rate: Rapid
  • Flower Color: N/A
  • Flowering Season: Summer
  • Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
  • Water: High
  • Drainage: Fast, Medium, Slow

Common Uses

Erosion Control, Groundcover

Natural Habitat

Open savannas and grasslands

Other Names

Common Names: Pangola Grass, Woolly Finger Grass, Common Finger Grass, Smutgrass

Scientific Names: , Digitaria eriantha, Digitaria bechuanica, Digitaria commutata subsp. eriantha, Digitaria decumbens, Digitaria dinteri, Digitaria eriantha subsp. pentzii, Digitaria eriantha subsp. stolonifera, Digitaria eriantha subsp. transvaalensis, Digitaria eriantha var. stolonifera

GBIF Accepted Name: