weeping lovegrass
(Eragrostis curvula)
This species is Introduced in the United States
Appearance
Eragrostis curvula is a warm-season, perennial grass that can grow to 4 ft. (1.2 m) tall.
Foliage
Leaves are arched, 0.11-0.16 in. (3-4 mm) wide, flat, with ciliate ligules. Sheaths have long hairs inside the upper margin and along the collar. Spikelets are nodding, 0.2-0.4 in. (4-10 mm) long, 0.06-0.07 in. (1.5-2 mm) wide and gray-green.
Flowers
Flower spikelets are elongated, flattened, and have 4 to 13 small flowers. Flowering occurs during early summer and continues through fall.
Fruit
Seed heads are panicles that contain many tiny seeds. The seed heads can grow from 30-40 in. (0.8-1 m) tall
Ecological Threat
Eragrostis curvula inhabits disturbed places such as roadsides and is native to South Africa. It has been planted for erosion control in the southwestern United States and is also used widely as an ornamental.
Selected Images
Maps
EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org
State Lists - This map identifies those states that have this species on their invasive species list or law.
Invasive Listing Sources
- Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council - Category 3
- Invasive Plant Species of West Virginia
- Jil M. Swearingen, Survey of invasive plants occurring on National Park Service lands, 2000-2007
- John Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Survey of TNC Preserves, 1995.
- Kentucky Exotic Pest Plant Council - Watch List
- Maine Invasive Plants
- Maryland Cooperative Extension Service. 2003. Invasive Plant Control in Maryland. Home and Garden Information Center, Home and Garden Mimeo HG88. 4 pp.
- Massachusetts Invasive Plants Advisory Group List
- Massachusetts Prohibited Plant List
- National Park Service, Mid-Atlantic Exotic Plant Management Team Invasive Plant List
- New Jersey Invasive Species Strike Team 2017 Invasive Species List
- Non-Native Invasive Plants of Arlington County, Virginia
- Non-Native Invasive Plants of the City of Alexandria, Virginia
- Nonnative Invasive Species in Southern Forest and Grassland Ecosystems
- South Carolina Exotic Pest Plant Council
- WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States
- West Virginia Native Plant Society, Flora West Virginia Project, and West Virginia Curatorial Database System, September 3, 1999
Taxonomic Rank
| Domain: Eukarya |
| Kingdom: Plantae |
| Phylum: Magnoliophyta |
| Class: Magnoliopsida |
| Superorder: Lilianae |
| Order: Poales |
| Family: Poaceae |
| Subfamily: Chloridoideae |
| Tribe: Eragrostideae |
| Genus: Eragrostis |
| Eragrostis curvula |
Synonyms and Other Names
Other Common Names:
Boer love grass
Related Scientific Names:
Eragrostis chloromelas (Schrad.) Nees (Synonym)
Eragrostis curvula var. conferta Steud. (Synonym)
Eragrostis robusta (Schrad.) Nees (Synonym)
References
Common Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
Scientific Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.