Status:
valid
Authors:
Stent
Source:
wcs
Year:
1930
Citation Micro:
Bothalia 3: 152 (1930)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000864194
Common Names
- Natalensis Fingergrass
- Natalensis Digitaria
- Natalensis Digitgrass
Description
Digitaria natalensis (also called Natal finger grass, among many other common names) is an annual grass that is native to Africa, and is found in grasslands and savannas. It has a short stem and grows to a height of about 0.5 m. The leaves are linear and have a pointed tip. The inflorescence is a single spikelet and the flowers are small and yellow.
Uses & Benefits
Digitaria natalensis is used as a forage crop and as a soil-stabilizing cover crop. It is also used as a source of food for livestock and to reduce soil erosion.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
The flower of Digitaria natalensis is a spikelet with a single floret. The seed is small and black, and the seedlings are thin and grass-like.
Cultivation and Propagation
Digitaria natalensis can be propagated by division or cuttings. Division is best done in spring or early summer. Cuttings should be taken in spring or summer and rooted in a well-drained medium. The plants should be kept moist and in bright, indirect light.
Where to Find Digitaria natalensis
Digitaria natalensis is native to tropical Africa, from Senegal to Ethiopia.
Digitaria natalensis FAQ
What is the scientific name of Digitaria natalensis?
Digitaria natalensis
What is the common name of Digitaria natalensis?
No common name
What is the natural habitat of Digitaria natalensis?
Dry, open grasslands
Species in the Digitaria genus
Digitaria abludens,
Digitaria abyssinica,
Digitaria acuminatissima,
Digitaria adamaouensis,
Digitaria aequiglumis,
Digitaria alleizettei,
Digitaria ammophila,
Digitaria andicola,
Digitaria andringitrensis,
Digitaria angolensis,
Digitaria ankaratrensis,
Digitaria appropinquata,
Digitaria arenicola,
Digitaria argillacea,
Digitaria argyrograpta,
Digitaria argyrotricha,
Digitaria aridicola,
Digitaria aristulata,
Digitaria arushae,
Digitaria asthenes,
Digitaria atra,
Digitaria atrofusca,
Digitaria badia,
Digitaria baileyi,
Digitaria bakeri,
Digitaria balansae,
Digitaria barbinodis,
Digitaria bicornis,
Digitaria bidactyla,
Digitaria bonplandii,
Digitaria brazzae,
Digitaria breedlovei,
Digitaria breviglumis,
Digitaria brownii,
Digitaria brunoana,
Digitaria calcarata,
Digitaria caledonica,
Digitaria californica,
Digitaria cardenasiana,
Digitaria catamarcensis,
Digitaria cayoensis,
Digitaria chacoensis,
Digitaria chaseae,
Digitaria ciliaris,
Digitaria clavitricha,
Digitaria coenicola,
Digitaria cognata,
Digitaria comifera,
Digitaria compacta,
Digitaria complanata,
Species in the Poaceae family
Achnatherum pekinense,
Achnatherum pubicalyx,
Achnatherum sibiricum,
Achnatherum turcomanicum,
Achnatherum brandisii,
Achnatherum bromoides,
Achnatherum calamagrostis,
Achnatherum confusum,
Achnatherum inebrians,
Achnatherum jacquemontii,
Achnatherum virescens,
Achnatherum paradoxum,
Achnatherum nakaii,
Achnatherum pelliotii,
Achnatherum haussknechtii,
Achnatherum mandavillei,
Achnatherum pilosum,
Achnatherum parviflorum,
Achnatherum staintonii,
Aciachne acicularis,
Aciachne flagellifera,
Aciachne pulvinata,
Acidosasa breviclavata,
Acidosasa brilletii,
Acidosasa chinensis,
Acidosasa edulis,
Acidosasa glauca,
Acidosasa guangxiensis,
Acidosasa lingchuanensis,
Acidosasa nanunica,
Acidosasa notata,
Acidosasa purpurea,
Acidosasa venusta,
Acidosasa carinata,
Acostia gracilis,
Acrachne henrardiana,
Acrachne perrieri,
Acrachne racemosa,
Acritochaete volkensii,
Acroceras amplectens,
Acroceras attenuatum,
Acroceras boivinii,
Acroceras bosseri,
Acroceras calcicola,
Acroceras chaseae,
Acroceras diffusum,
Acroceras elegans,
Acroceras excavatum,
Acroceras fluminense,
Acroceras gabunense,
References
POWO record for urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:398988-1: Govaerts R (ed.). 2023. WCVP: World Checklist of Vascular Plants [Version 11]. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. [WWW document] URL http://sftp.kew.org/pub/data-repositories/WCVP/ [accessed 20 April 2023].