Definition

1. Noun:
   • A European forage grass grown for hay: A species of grass, originally from Europe, cultivated as a fodder crop for livestock.
   • A naturalized weed in the United States: An invasive plant species that has spread and established itself outside its native range, often considered a pest in agricultural fields and lawns.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The farmer planted a field of Digitaria sanguinalis to provide hay for the winter.
  • Controlling Digitaria sanguinalis is a major challenge for organic gardeners.

Advanced Usage

• In botanical classification: The term is used in scientific and agricultural contexts to precisely identify this specific plant species, distinguishing it from other grasses or weeds.
  • The study focused on the germination rates of Digitaria sanguinalis under different soil conditions.

Variants and Related Words

• Common Name: Large Crabgrass: This is the most frequently used common name for in everyday English, especially in gardening and lawn care contexts.
  • Large crabgrass is a common sight in summer lawns.
• Genus: Digitaria: The broader taxonomic group to which this species belongs, which includes many other similar grasses.
• Forage Grass: A general term for grasses grown to be eaten by grazing livestock.

Synonyms

• Large Crabgrass: The primary common name synonym.
• Hairy Crabgrass: Another common name referring to the same species, noting the hair-like structures on the plant.

Notes on Meaning

• The word is a formal, scientific binomial name (genus + species). In non-scientific contexts, the common names "large crabgrass" or "hairy crabgrass" are almost always used instead. Its dual identity as a cultivated forage crop in some regions and a troublesome weed in others is a key aspect of its definition.

Noun

1. a European forage grass grown for hay; a naturalized weed in United States