Digitaria

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A genus of grasses known for species that are often found in tropical and temperate regions, particularly significant as foxtail or crabgrass
2. plants belonging to this genus are characterized by their sprawling growth habit and adaptability
3. members of this group are typically used in agriculture or as ground cover in various landscapes

Etymology: Digitaria is a Neo-Latin scientific name built on the Latin "digitus," meaning "finger." The name describes the flower spikes, which grow in clusters at the top of the stem and spread out like the fingers of a hand. The ending "-aria" is a suffix common in Latin-based plant names. English shares this root. "Digit," originally meaning a finger or toe, comes from the same Latin word, and "digital," through its sense of counting on fingers, comes from "digit."

Synonyms: crabgrass