Native Plants
Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.
Digitaria californica
Digitaria californica (Benth.) Henr.
Arizona Cottontop, California Cottontop, California Crab Grass, Cottontop
Poaceae (Grass Family)
Synonym(s): Trichachne californica
USDA Symbol: DICA8
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
A warm-season bunchgrass with erect culms from a knotty, felty base. Numerous leaves surround the 2-4 ft. culms which bear attractive white to purplish, cottony seedheads.
From the Image Gallery
No images of this plant
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Grass/Grass-like
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Inflorescence: Panicle
Fruit Type: Caryopsis
Size Notes: Up to about 4 feet tall.
Leaf: Green
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: WhiteBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov
Distribution
USA: AZ , CO , NM , OK , TXNative Distribution: TX & OK to s. CO, AZ & Mex.
Native Habitat: Prairie, Plains, Meadows, Pastures, Savannas
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Deep, well-drained soils. Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay.
Conditions Comments: A very drought tolerant species, rarely found in pure stands. It will repeatedly go to seed when moisture is available. Useful both as an ornamental and for improving rangeland.
Propagation
Commercially Avail: yesFind Seed or Plants
Order seed of this species from Native American Seed and help support the Wildflower Center.
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Austin, TX
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Bibliography
Bibref 995 - Native Landscaping from El Paso to L.A. (2000) Wasowski, S. and A. WasowskiBibref 291 - Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Additional resources
USDA: Find Digitaria californica in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Digitaria californica in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Digitaria californica
Metadata
Record Modified: 2009-02-21Research By: TWC Staff