TechNotes March 12 - Crabgrass in Florida

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Digitaria species of Florida 
   
The five major species of crabgrass found in Florida are:

India crabgrass (Digitaria longiflora) – Summer annual or perennial (southern Florida) spreads by stolons.  Leaf blades are short.  Usually found on dry sites.

Southern crabgrass (Digitaria elliaris), also known as hairy crabgrass  – clumpy but spreads through rooting at notes Large leaves that are hairy.  Found on dry areas.

Blanket crabgrass (Digitaria serotina) also known as rabbit or dwarf crabgrass – annual that can spread by stolons.  The leaf blades are short.  Differentiated from India by the presence of hairs on the leaves and sheath.  Found on moist sites.

Tropical crabgrass (Digitaria bicornis) also known as Asian crabgrass – similar in appearance to southern crabgrass.  Seedhead branches from the same point where smooth brances from several points.  Found on dry sites.

Smooth crabgrass (Digitaria ischaemum) also known as small crabgrass – clumpy but will spread and root at nodes.  The leaves are large.  Found on dry sites.  In Florida, primarily found in the northern part of the State.