Digitaria gracillima
Imperiled
Imperiled  (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Subfamily: Panicoideae
Genus: Digitaria
Species:
D. gracillima
Binomial name
Digitaria gracillima
(Scribn.) Fernald[2]

Digitaria gracillima, commonly referred to as longleaf crabgrass,[1][2][3] is a rare species of crabgrass endemic to Florida in the US.[1]

Habitat

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It is known to grow in the sandy, xeric fire-dependent habitats of the peninsula, including Florida scrub and longleaf pine sandhill.[3]

Conservation

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Vouchered specimens have been collected from Polk, Osceola, Lake, and possibly Sumter and Miami-Dade counties.[2] The type specimen was collected in the vicinity of Lake Eustis, where it is thought to be less likely to persist due to extensive habitat loss to development.[1]

It is currently only known from 4 sites, all of which are on conserved land which is adequately maintained where populations seem relatively safe. However, there is little information regarding population sizes and trends. It's unknown why the species isn't present on other conserved sites with appropriate habitat and management.[1]

The locales with likely the best viability are in Highlands County, particularly Avon Park Air Force Range and Highlands Hammock State Park, where habitat is abundant and well-managed.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Digitaria gracillima". NatureServe Explorer. Retrieved 26 December 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d "Digitaria gracillima". Florida PlantAtlas. Retrieved 26 December 2025.
  3. ^ a b c "Digitaria gracillima". Flora of the Southeastern United States. Retrieved 26 December 2025.