Leptoloma Chase; Syntherisma Walter.

Annual or perennial. Culms erect or decumbent, occasionally stoloniferous. Leaf blades linear or linear-lanceolate; ligule membranous. Inflorescence of digitately arranged racemes, sometimes on a short axis or with secondary branchlets, very rarely paniculate; spikelets usually in groups of 2–3(–4), imbricate to effuse, the latter often on notably long and unequal pedicels. Spikelets puberulous to villous, typically in stripes between the well-defined veins, rarely glabrous; lower glume absent or reduced to a little scale up to 1/4 spikelet length; upper glume variable; lower lemma usually ± equal to spikelet; upper floret pallid to black, apex subacute to acuminate, rarely apiculate. x = 9.

Digitaria has been traditionally divided on the nature of the spikelet hairs, which may be clavate, capitate, verrucose (warty, appearing beaded), or with crooked tips. As good magnification is required to see these features, the grouping of the spikelets on the raceme is a more practical aid to identification. Many species have regularly paired spikelets, which present no difficulty. In those species where the spikelets are grouped in clusters of 3 or more, care must be taken, as often the longest pedicel of a group is partially fused to the rachis so that the spikelets appear alternately paired and single, or sometimes one spikelet may be vestigial, or the spikelets may be paired toward the raceme tips.

Many species are very variable in spikelet pubescence and lemma nervation, even within a single raceme. Additionally, there are a number of complexes of intergrading species, so intermediates may occasionally be encountered. This has led to the publication of many superfluous names.

About 250 species:tropical and warm-temperate regions of the world; 22 species (three endemic) in China.

(Authors: Chen Shouliang (陈守良); Sylvia M. Phillips)