Digitaria abyssinica (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Stapf
(=Digitaria scalarum (Schweinf.) Chiov.)
Poaceae
Paniceae
African couchgrass, fingergrass
spikelet; disarticulation below the glumes
Spikelets of 1 fertile floret and 1 basal sterile lemma. Spikelets ovate-elliptic, dorsally compressed, plano-convex, 1.5–2.5 mm long, 0.8–1 mm wide, completely glabrous. Pedicel segment often persistent. Glumes 2, dissimilar; lower glume absent or reduced, hyaline; upper glume membranous, slightly shorter than to as long as spikelet. Sterile lemma similar in appearance to upper glume, as long as spikelet. Fertile floret brown at maturity, fertile lemma cartilaginous, shorter than to as long as spikelet, with flat margins enclosing much of palea, faintly muricate.
Fertile lemmas in the genus Digitaria are flat and thinner at the margins. Distinguishing characteristics of Digitaria abyssinica include its glabrous, unequally pedicelled spikelets and fertile floret that is brown at maturity. See Digitaria velutina (Forssk.) P. Beauv.
widespread in tropical Africa, including South Africa and Madagascar; also Sri Lanka, Hawaii
native to eastern Africa
moist, shady places, roadsides
Digitaria abyssinica is a perennial rhizomatous grass, up to 80 cm tall. It is reported to be the most troublesome weed in Eastern Africa, invading major crops such as coffee and cotton. Eradication is difficult because propagation is primarily by rhizomes. Cultivation creates rhizome fragments, which can generate new plants. The grass is eaten by livestock, but is not productive enough to be used as a pasture grass.