Contents
Description
Digitaria Cognata is a perennial grass that belongs to the Poaceae family. It is native to South America and can be found in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. This grass is commonly known as “smutgrass” due to its black smut fungus that affects its seeds. The plant has a clumping habit and grows up to 60cm tall. Digitaria Cognata is widely used as an ornamental plant due to its attractive foliage and unique inflorescence.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain | Eukaryota |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Spermatophyta |
| Class | Liliopsida |
| Order | Cyperales |
| Family | Poaceae |
| Genus | Digitaria |
Appearance
The leaves of Digitaria Cognata are green and narrow, growing up to 20cm long and 5mm wide. The inflorescence is a spike-like panicle that is 5-20cm long and 1-2cm wide. The flowers are arranged in pairs along the branches of the panicle. The seeds of Digitaria Cognata are small and black, covered in a smut fungus that gives the plant its common name. The grass has a clumping habit and grows up to 60cm tall.
Care Guide
Water: Digitaria Cognata requires moderate watering, and the soil should be kept moist but not waterlogged.
Fertilization: A balanced fertilizer can be applied once a month during the growing season to promote healthy growth.
Soil: The grass prefers well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. It can tolerate a wide range of soil types, including sandy and clay soils.
Sunlight: Digitaria Cognata prefers full sunlight, but it can tolerate partial shade.
Hardiness Zones: This plant can grow in USDA hardiness zones 8-10.
Common Pests & Diseases
Digitaria Cognata is susceptible to various pests and diseases, including:
- Black smut fungus: This fungus affects the seeds of the plant and can reduce the plant’s seed production.
- Armyworms: These caterpillars feed on the leaves of the plant and can cause significant damage.
- Leaf blight: This disease causes brown or yellow spots on the leaves of the plant.
- Rust: This fungal disease causes orange or brown spots on the leaves of the plant.
Habitat
Digitaria Cognata is native to South America and can be found in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. It grows in grasslands, savannas, and disturbed areas. In the United States, it is considered an invasive species and can be found in Florida, Texas, and Hawaii.
Question and Answer
Q: Is Digitaria Cognata poisonous?
A: No, this plant is not poisonous to humans or animals.
Q: Can Digitaria Cognata be grown indoors?
A: While it can be grown indoors, it prefers full sunlight and is best suited for outdoor growing.
Q: How often should Digitaria Cognata be fertilized?
A: A balanced fertilizer can be applied once a month during the growing season.
Q: Can Digitaria Cognata tolerate drought?
A: While it can tolerate some drought, it prefers moist soil and regular watering.
Related Plants
- Digitaria Sanguinalis
- Digitaria Exilis
- Digitaria Eriantha
- Digitaria Decumbens
References
- Bruno, R. L., & Derr, J. F. (2005). Smutgrass (Digitaria spp.) biology and management in turfgrass. Weed Technology, 19(2), 290-298.
- Chase, M. W., & Reveal, J. L. (2009). A phylogenetic classification of the land plants to accompany APG III. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 161(2), 122-127.
- Mabberley, D. J. (2017). Mabberley’s plant-book: a portable dictionary of plants, their classification and uses. Cambridge University Press.
- USDA Plants Database. (n.d.). Digitaria cognata (J. Presl) Henrard. Retrieved from https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=DICO4
