| Eragrostis curvula | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Subfamily: | Chloridoideae |
| Genus: | Eragrostis |
| Species: | E. curvula |
| Binomial name | |
| Eragrostis curvula | |
Eragrostis curvula is a species ofgrass known by thecommon nameweeping lovegrass. Other common names includeBoer lovegrass,curved lovegrass,Catalina lovegrass, andAfrican lovegrass.
It is native tosouthern Africa. It is anintroduced species on other continents.[1]
Eragrostis curvula is usually a long-lived perennial grass, but it is sometimes anannual plant. It is variable in appearance, and there are many different natural and cultivated forms.
In general, it forms tufts of stems up to 1.9 metres (6.2 ft) tall. The tufts may reach a diameter of 38 centimetres (1.25 ft).
The grass grows from a thick root network. Plants have been noted to have roots penetrating over 4 metres (13 ft) deep in the soil and 3 metres (9.8 ft) laterally. The roots can grow 5 centimetres (2.0 in) per day. The first root to grow into the soil from aseedling can send out up to 60 small rootlets per inch. The dense root system forms asod.
The drooping leaves of the grass are up to 65 centimetres (2.13 ft) long but just a few millimeters wide, and they may have rolled edges. Theinflorescence is apanicle with branches lined with centimeter-long spikelets. Each spikelet may contain up to 15 flowers. One panicle may produce 1000 seeds. Cultivated plants may produce two crops of seed per year. The plant self-fertilizes or undergoesapomixis, without fertilization.[1]
This grass is valuable as aforage for livestock in Africa, its native range.[2] There are manyecotypes. Several of these ecotypes were collected and introduced in the United States ascultivars. The grass was first planted in the United States inStillwater, Oklahoma, in 1935. It was good for livestock, and its massive root network made it a good plant forerosion control.
It spread quickly as it was planted forornamental purposes. It reachedNew York in the 1960s and in the 1970s and 80s it was planted alongside many highways such as theLong Island Expressway. Today it occurs as aninvasive species in wild habitat from the southwestern United States to theEast Coast. It can be found in woodlands,chaparral,prairie,grassland, and disturbed areas.[1] It is tolerant of very acidic and very basic soils; it grows easily inmine spoils. This species mayhybridize with otherEragrostis, such asEragrostis caesia,E. lehmanniana, andE. planiculmis.[3]
Cultivars of this grass include 'South African Robusta Blue', 'Witbank', 'Ermelo', 'Kromdraai', 'American Leafy', and 'Renner'.[4] Cultivars may be selected for yield, palatability for livestock, anddrought resistance. It is planted along waterways inSri Lanka and mountainsides inJapan, and it is used for oversowing fields inArgentina. In the United States it is often planted alongsideKorean lespedeza.[5] It is planted as anurse crop forsericea lespedeza,coastal panic grass, andswitchgrass.[6]
It is aninvasive species in some regions, such as parts of the United States andVictoria and other Australian states.[7] It is aggressive and can crowd out native plants. Its drought resistance helps it to survive in dry environments.[3][6]
InLesotho, this grass is used to make baskets, brooms, hats, ropes, and candles, and it is used for food, as a charm, and in funeral rituals.[8]
