Eragrostis japonica (Thunb.) Trin.

Pond Lovegrass

Herb

Annual

Vascular

Pond Lovegrass is an introduced herbaceous annual in the Grass family (Poaceae). It is native to the Old World tropics from Africa to Asia and Australia. In Alabama it can be found in the southern half of the state. Pond Lovegrass occurs in wet disturbed areas such as on the banks of rivers and streams, on the banks of ponds and lakes, and in wet roadside ditches. It usually occurs on disturbed sandy soil in full sun. Pond Lovegrass is a tufted annual with fibrous roots. The culms are erect or geniculate at the base, glabrous, and 1-3 feet in height. Leaf blades are flat and glabrous. The leaf sheath is loose and longer than the internodes. The ligules are fimbriate at the apex. Flowers are produced in spikes. The spikes are arranged in elongated, compressed panicles. The panicle branches are in whorls or pseudo-whorls. Individual spikelets are appressed, 4-8 flowered, and ovate in outline. The fruit is a grain. Eragrostis japonica belongs to a small group of closely related species with membranous ligules that have been treated as a separate genus (Diandrochloa De Winter).—A. Diamond

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Not Native OBL (NWPL)

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