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fall witchgrass
Scientific Name: Digitaria cognata
Family: Poaceae
Category: Monocot
Growth: Graminoid
Duration: Perennial
Other Names: PA (fall witchgrass)
Fall Witchgrass (Digitaria cognata)
Digitaria cognata, commonly known as fall witchgrass, Carolina crabgrass, or mountain hairgrass, is a native warm-season perennial grass found in North America.
Considerations for Pets
- The plant has brittle culms.
- The plant can become a tumbleweed.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Digitaria cognata (Schult.) Pilg.
- Family: Poaceae (Grass Family)
- Tribe: Paniceae
- Synonyms:
- Leptoloma cognatum
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to North America.
- Commonly found on sand and sandy loam soils, particularly in south Texas.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Tufted perennial grass.
- Stems are freely branching with hairs below.
- Culms are decumbent, much branched below, typically 30-70 cm tall and pale green.
- Leaves are flat with white edges.
- Features very diffuse panicles that break off and become tumbleweeds.
- The blooming period occurs during late summer and early fall.
Ecological Role
- An early successional native grass.
- Can be considered a weed of agronomic crops, gardens, and landscapes.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Used as quail habitat.
Further Information
- USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=DICO6
- Discover Life: Information about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Digitaria cognata.