Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees

Weeping Lovegrass

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Weeping Lovegrass is an introduced perennial in the grass family. It is native to southern Africa. Weeping Lovegrass was introduced to the United States as a forage grass, ornamental, and for erosion control. During the 1970’s it was widely planted along the Interstate Highway system in Alabama. Weeping Lovegrass grows in disturbed sites such as on roadsides, along trails, and on steep banks. It is a cespitose warn season bunchgrass with fibrous roots. The culms are 2-5 feet in height and either glabrous or glandular. Leaves are linear in outline, flat or involute, and glabrous or with scattered hairs near the base. The leaf sheath has scattered long hairs. Flowers are produced in open terminal ovate to oblong panicles. The spikelets have 3-10 florets, and are linear-lanceolate in outline and tan or purplish in color. The fruit is a grain. Weeping Lovegrass is frequently planted on steep roadside banks and on reclaimed strip mines to prevent erosion. It has a dense root system that can extend thirteen feet deep into the soil. Weeping Lovegrass is tolerant of drought, nutrient poor soils, very acidic pH, and heavy metal concentrations that are toxic to other plant species. Several cultivars are available from nurseries, including forms with “blue” foliage. It is considered and invasive species in large areas of the western United States, and is listed as an invasive species in Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia. It forms dense monocultures that exclude native species and can spread readily from seed.—A. Diamond.

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Not Native FAC (NWPL)

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