Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop.

Spice Detail In the field

Family: GRAMINEAE (POACEAE)

Genus: Digitaria

Catalan common name: Forcadella. Panissalla. Pota de gall. Xereix.

Spanish common name: Garrachuelo.

Province distribution: Alacant. Balearic Islands. Barcelona. Castelló. Girona. Lleida. Tarragona. València.

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Menorca. Ibiza.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Cosmopolitan and subcosmopolitan

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Terophyte.

Habitats: Cultivated fields, path and road sides, disturbed zones. Cultivated fields, path and road sides.

Characteristics: A very abundant Gramineae grows along paths and roadsides as well as cultivated fields. Probably introduced to the islands. Is characterized by its long and slender spikes that seem to emerge from the stem apex, but in reality are formed above these structures. These spikes are covered with diminutive, unilateral spikelets. Often the spikes and leaves have a reddish hue (hence the species name). Flowers during the summer up until fall.