Eragrostis spectabilis (Pursh) Steud.

Purple Lovegrass; Petticoat Climber; Tumblegrass

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Purple Lovegrass is a native perennial in the grass family. It can be found throughout Alabama. Purple Lovegrass grows in sandy pine or pine-oak woodlands, in prairies, along forest edges, and on roadsides. It is a cespitose warn season bunchgrass with fibrous roots. The bases are hardened and have short knotty rhizomes. The culms are 1-2 feet in height, erect, and glabrous. Leaves are linear-lanceolate in outline, flat or slightly involute, and pubescent on both surfaces. The leaf sheaths are pubescent on the margins and at the base. Flowers are produced in open terminal panicles. The panicles are ovate to oblong and easily detached. The small spikelets have 6-12 florets, and are linear-lanceolate in outline. They are often purplish in color. The fruit is a flattened grain with two prominent ridges separated by a groove. The panicles of Purple Lovegrass easily detach and are blown along by the wind, similar in action to tumbleweeds. They often get entangled on your shoes and socks as you walk through grassy areas. An alternate common name for this species is “Petticoat Climber”. Purple Lovegrass is often available as seed or plants from native nurseries. It can be used in meadows, on banks or other areas difficult to mow, or mixed in a perennial bed. It prefers an open site with abundant sun, and is tolerant of drought. Mass plantings can be spectacular. The foliage is a larval food for the Zabulon Skipper (Poanes zabulon).—A. Diamond.

**

Native FACU (NWPL) G5 (Global Rank)

**