Abyssinian finger grass

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Abyssinian finger grass
• African couch grass

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Digitaria lemeeana
• Digitaria merkeri
• Syntherisma abyssinica
• Digitaria hentyi
• Panicum abyssinicum
• Panicum kafuroense
• Digitaria effusa
• Digitaria eichingeri
• Digitaria velutina var. glabrescens
• Digitaria vestita
• Digitaria abyssinica var. micrantha

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Poales and the family Poaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement in the genus Digitaria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several regions of the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is documented within the borders of Nigeria. Moving into West-Central Tropical Africa, the species can be found in Burundi. The distribution continues through this central region to include Cameroon and the Congo. Finally, its range extends further into West-Central Tropical Africa to encompass the nation of Gabon.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Digitaria abyssinica is characterized by its broad adaptability across diverse altitudinal gradients, allowing it to inhabit a wide variety of landscapes. This species is found within an expansive elevational range, extending from as low as 5 m AMSL to a maximum altitude of 2000 m AMSL. This significant vertical distribution suggests that the plant can tolerate a diverse array of microclimates, ranging from lowland tropical or subtropical environments to cooler, montane ecological zones. Such a wide range indicates high ecological plasticity, enabling the species to persist in various soil types and moisture regimes encountered throughout these varying elevations.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

5 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Digitaria abyssinicca is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth strategies and survival mechanisms, the species exhibits a dual life form profile, functioning both as a hemicryptophyte and a cryptophyte. This indicates that its perennating buds are located at or just below the soil surface, providing a level of protection against environmental stressors while facilitating its long-term survival in its natural habitat.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Digitaria abyssinica is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody, graminoid herb. This species is a self-supporting plant that does not function as a climber or a liana, maintaining a low-profile stature with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 0.34 m. It is an independent organism, lacking parasitic tendencies, and thrives in terrestrial environments rather than as an epiphyte or an aquatic/semiaquatic species.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

graminoid

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.34 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Digitaria abyssinica is characterized by the production of extremely lightweight seeds, with a consistent seed mass recorded at a mean, minimum, and maximum value of 0.00044 g. Due to this minimal mass, the plant employs an unspecialized dispersal syndrome that utilizes a diverse array of mechanisms to ensure its spread across the environment. This multifaceted approach to dispersal includes anemochory (wind dispersal), hydrochory (water dispersal), and autochory (self-dispersal), alongside zoochory (animal dispersal). The strategy is further diversified by its ability to interact with various vectors, potentially involving anthropochory, endozoochory, epizoochory, myrmecocory, and general unspecialized movement, allowing the species to colonize various habitats through multiple ecological pathways.

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Seed mass mean:

0.00044 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Digitaria abyssinica has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include rhizome.

Rhizome

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Chemicals

Digitaria abyssinica has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Cardiac Glycosides, Flavonoids, Saponins, Steroids, Tannins.

Cardiac Glycosides

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Flavonoids

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Saponins

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Steroids

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Tannins

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Terpenes

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Activities

Digitaria abyssinica has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimalarial.

Antimalarial

1. Tropical medicine and health

Conditions

Digitaria abyssinica has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Candida albicans, candidiasis, gonorrhea, malaria.

Candida albicans

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Candidiasis

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Gonorrhea

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Malaria

1. Tropical medicine and health

Preparations

Digitaria abyssinica has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include decoction.

Decoction

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM