Family: Poaceae
Author: Steud.
Bibliography: Flora 12: 468 (1829)
Year: 1829
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Digitaria
Vegetable: False
Observations: Tanzania to S. Africa
Description
Common finger grass, scientifically known as Digitaria eriantha, is a notable species within the Poaceae family. Originally described in the publication Flora 12: 468 in 1829 by the botanist Steud., this plant has since garnered attention for its adaptability and utility.
Native to regions spanning from Tanzania to South Africa, Common finger grass thrives in a variety of soils and climatic conditions, making it a resilient species in diverse environments. This perennial grass is marked by its ability to withstand drought and poor soil nutrition, characteristics that have contributed to its prominence in the agricultural and ecological sectors.
Digitaria eriantha is commonly utilized for grazing and hay production due to its nutritious value for livestock. It produces an ample amount of foliage, which remains palatable and retains its nutritional qualities even into the dry season when other grasses have diminished in value. Additionally, its robust root system helps in soil stabilization, thereby preventing erosion, a benefit that is particularly valuable in the often arid and semi-arid regions where it is found.
In appearance, Common finger grass is characterized by its slender, finger-like seed heads, which give the plant its common name. These seed heads usually appear in clusters, extending from a central point, much like the fingers radiating out from the palm of a hand.
Beyond its agricultural benefits, Common finger grass also plays a role in natural ecosystems, providing habitat and food for various wildlife species. Its growth habit can assist in suppressing weeds, thereby contributing to the overall health of the plant community.
In summary, Digitaria eriantha is a robust, versatile grass that not only supports agricultural practices through its use as forage but also enhances environmental conservation efforts through soil stabilization and habitat provision. Its adaptability continues to make it a valuable plant, deserving of attention and study.
Common Names
Eng: digitgrass, common finger grass, digit grass, pangola grass, woolly finger grass, pangola-grass
Deu: pangolagras
Por: capim-pangola
Fra: digitaria
Spa: pangola, pasto pangola
En: Common finger grass, Pangola grass, Digit grass, Woolly finger grass, Woolly fingergrass, Digitgrass, Pangola-grass
Fr: Digitaria, Pangola
De: Pangolagras
Pt: Capim-pangola
Es: Pangola, Pasto pangola
Synonyms
- Digitaria dinteri (Henrard)
- Digitaria livida (Henrard)
- Digitaria commutata subsp. eriantha ((Steud.) Maire)
- Digitaria pentzii (Stent)
- Digitaria pentzii var. minor (Stent)
- Digitaria geniculata (Stent)
- Digitaria eriantha subsp. pentzii ((Stent) Kok)
- Digitaria eriantha subsp. transvaalensis (Kok)
- Digitaria glauca (Stent)
- Digitaria glauca var. bechuanica (Stent)
- Digitaria hiascens (Mez)
- Digitaria eriantha subsp. stolonifera ((Stapf) Kok)
- Digitaria eriantha var. stolonifera (Stapf)
- Digitaria stentiana (Henrard)
- Digitaria bechuanica ((Stent) Henrard)
- Digitaria valida (Stent)
- Digitaria pentzii var. stolonifera ((Stapf) Henrard)
- Digitaria nemoralis (Henrard)
- Digitaria smutsii (Stent)
- Digitaria umfolozi (D.W.Hall)
- Digitaria decumbens (Stent)
- Digitaria valida var. glauca (Stent)
Distribution
- Angola (native)
- Botswana (native)
- Cape Provinces (native)
- Caprivi Strip (native)
- Free State (native)
- KwaZulu-Natal (native)
- Lesotho (native)
- Mozambique (native)
- Namibia (native)
- Northern Provinces (native)
- Swaziland (native)
- Tanzania (native)
- Zimbabwe (native)
- Argentina Northeast (introduced)
- Arizona (introduced)
- Brazil Northeast (introduced)
- Brazil South (introduced)
- Brazil Southeast (introduced)
- Brazil West-Central (introduced)
- California (introduced)
- Cape Verde (introduced)
- Caroline Is. (introduced)
- Colombia (introduced)
- Costa Rica (introduced)
- Cuba (introduced)
- East Himalaya (introduced)
- El Salvador (introduced)
- Fiji (introduced)
- Florida (introduced)
- Galápagos (introduced)
- Guatemala (introduced)
- Guyana (introduced)
- Hawaii (introduced)
- Honduras (introduced)
- Leeward Is. (introduced)
- Malaya (introduced)
- Mauritius (introduced)
- Mexico Gulf (introduced)
- Mexico Northeast (introduced)
- Mexico Southeast (introduced)
- Mexico Southwest (introduced)
- New Mexico (introduced)
- Nicaragua (introduced)
- Pakistan (introduced)
- Paraguay (introduced)
- Peru (introduced)
- Philippines (introduced)
- Puerto Rico (introduced)
- Queensland (introduced)
- Suriname (introduced)
- Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
Additional Images
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Leaf
Taken Jun 7, 2021 by susan brown (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 17, 2022 by kafaktor (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 7, 2022 by florian Kherbouche (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 29, 2021 by William Gustave (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 27, 2022 by Walt Eads (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Aug 17, 2022 by kafaktor (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 7, 2022 by florian Kherbouche (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 5, 2020 by Ceballos Dereck (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 3, 2018 by Anthony Le Clézio (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 22, 2022 by William Korosian (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Feb 23, 2021 by susan brown (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Aug 17, 2022 by kafaktor (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − JMK (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Nov 3, 2018 by Anthony Le Clézio (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5289987)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:398792-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Digitaria eriantha Steud.)
Specifications
Growth form>: Stoloniferous
Growth habit>: Graminoid
Growth rate>: Rapid
Growth
Ph maximum: 7.0
Ph minimum: 5.0