425 Species of Genus Eragrostis

Lovegrass: A Deep Dive with Ferb Vu

My fascination with the plant world started young, with the vibrant colors and diverse forms captivating my imagination. Among the many genera that have piqued my interest, Eragrostis, commonly known as lovegrass, holds a special place. This diverse genus of grasses, with its delicate beauty and ecological significance, offers a fascinating glimpse into the intricate world of botany.

Understanding the Eragrostis Genus

The name Eragrostis originates from the Greek words “eros” (love) and “agrostis” (grass), a fitting name for this graceful and often overlooked genus. Lovegrasses are characterized by their open, airy panicles, composed of numerous small spikelets. These spikelets, often tinged with purple or red hues, give the plant a delicate, almost ethereal appearance. The leaves are typically long and narrow, and the plants themselves can range in size from diminutive species just a few inches tall to robust varieties reaching several feet in height.

Lovegrasses are incredibly adaptable, thriving in a wide range of habitats, from arid deserts and rocky slopes to fertile meadows and wetlands. This resilience has made them a successful group, with over 400 species distributed across the globe. They play a crucial role in their respective ecosystems, providing food and shelter for various animals, stabilizing soil, and contributing to the overall biodiversity of their environments.

A Diverse Family: Eragrostis Species

The sheer diversity within the Eragrostis genus is astounding. Here are species that make up this fascinating group:

1. Eragrostis abortiva (R.Br.) Steud.
2. Eragrostis acamptoclada Cope
3. Eragrostis acraea De Winter
4. Eragrostis acutiflora (Kunth) Nees
5. Eragrostis acutiglumis Parodi
6. Eragrostis aegyptiaca (Willd.) Delile
7. Eragrostis aethiopica Chiov.
8. Eragrostis agrostoides (Benth.) R.L.Barrett & P.M.Peterson
9. Eragrostis airoides Nees
10. Eragrostis albensis H.Scholz
11. Eragrostis alopecuroides Balansa
12. Eragrostis alta Keng
13. Eragrostis alveiformis Lazarides
14. Eragrostis amanda Clayton
15. Eragrostis ambleia Clayton
16. Eragrostis ambohibengensis A.Camus
17. Eragrostis ambositrensis A.Camus
18. Eragrostis ambrensis A.Camus
19. Eragrostis amurensis Prob.
20. Eragrostis anacrantha Cope
21. Eragrostis anacranthoides Cope
22. Eragrostis andicola R.E.Fr.
23. Eragrostis annulata Rendle ex Scott Elliot
24. Eragrostis anomala (C.E.Hubb.) R.L.Barrett & P.M.Peterson
25. Eragrostis apiculata Döll
26. Eragrostis appressa (S.T.Blake) R.L.Barrett & P.M.Peterson
27. Eragrostis aquatica Honda
28. Eragrostis arenicola C.E.Hubb.
29. Eragrostis aristata De Winter
30. Eragrostis aristiglumis Kabuye
31. Eragrostis articulata (Schrank) Nees
32. Eragrostis aspera (Jacq.) Nees
33. Eragrostis astrepta S.M.Phillips
34. Eragrostis astreptoclada Cope
35. Eragrostis atropioides Hillebr.
36. Eragrostis atrovirens (Desf.) Trin. ex Steud.
37. Eragrostis attenuata Hitchc.
38. Eragrostis aurorae Launert
39. Eragrostis autumnalis Keng
40. Eragrostis bahamensis Hitchc.
41. Eragrostis bahiensis Schult.
42. Eragrostis baileyi (C.E.Hubb.) R.L.Barrett & P.M.Peterson
43. Eragrostis balgooyi Veldkamp
44. Eragrostis barbinodis Hack.
45. Eragrostis barbulata Stapf
46. Eragrostis barrelieri Daveau
47. Eragrostis barteri C.E.Hubb.
48. Eragrostis basedowii Jedwabn.
49. Eragrostis bemarivensis A.Camus
50. Eragrostis bergiana (Kunth) Trin.
51. Eragrostis berteroniana (Schult.) Steud.
52. Eragrostis betsileensis A.Camus
53. Eragrostis bicolor Nees
54. Eragrostis biflora Hack.
55. Eragrostis blakei (C.E.Hubb.) R.L.Barrett & P.M.Peterson
56. Eragrostis blepharostachya K.Schum.
57. Eragrostis boinensis A.Camus
58. Eragrostis boivinii Steud.
59. Eragrostis boriana Launert
60. Eragrostis botryodes Clayton
61. Eragrostis brainii (Stent) Launert
62. Eragrostis braunii Schweinf.
63. Eragrostis brizantha Nees
64. Eragrostis brownii (Kunth) Nees
65. Eragrostis burmanica Bor
66. Eragrostis caesia Stapf
67. Eragrostis caespitosa Chiov.
68. Eragrostis camerunensis Clayton
69. Eragrostis canescens C.E.Hubb.
70. Eragrostis caniflora Rendle
71. Eragrostis capensis (Thunb.) Trin.
72. Eragrostis capillaris (L.) Nees
73. Eragrostis capitula Lazarides
74. Eragrostis capitulifera Chiov.
75. Eragrostis capuronii A.Camus
76. Eragrostis carolinensis Jedwabn.
77. Eragrostis cassa Lazarides
78. Eragrostis castellaneana Buscal. & Muschl.
79. Eragrostis cataclasta Nicora
80. Eragrostis cenolepis Clayton
81. Eragrostis chabouisii Bosser
82. Eragrostis chalarothyrsos C.E.Hubb.
83. Eragrostis chapelieri (Kunth) Nees
84. Eragrostis chiquitaniensis Killeen
85. Eragrostis cilianensis (All.) Vignolo ex Janch.
86. Eragrostis ciliaris (L.) R.Br.
87. Eragrostis ciliata (Roxb.) Nees
88. Eragrostis cimicina Launert
89. Eragrostis coarctata Stapf
90. Eragrostis collina Trin.
91. Eragrostis collinensis Vivek, G.V.S.Murthy & V.J.Nair
92. Eragrostis comptonii De Winter
93. Eragrostis concinna (R.Br.) Steud.
94. Eragrostis condensata (J.Presl) Steud.
95. Eragrostis conertii Lobin
96. Eragrostis confertiflora J.M.Black
97. Eragrostis confusa (C.E.Hubb.) R.L.Barrett & P.M.Peterson
98. Eragrostis congesta Oliv.
99. Eragrostis contrerasii R.W.Pohl
100. Eragrostis crassinervis Hack.
101. Eragrostis crateriformis Lazarides
102. Eragrostis cubensis Hitchc.
103. Eragrostis cumingii Steud.
104. Eragrostis curtipedicellata Buckley
105. Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees
106. Eragrostis cylindrica (Roxb.) Arn.
107. Eragrostis cylindriflora Hochst.
108. Eragrostis danesii (Domin) R.L.Barrett & P.M.Peterson
109. Eragrostis deccanensis Bor
110. Eragrostis decumbens Renvoize
111. Eragrostis deflexa Hitchc.
112. Eragrostis dentifera Launert
113. Eragrostis desertorum Domin
114. Eragrostis desolata Launert
115. Eragrostis dielsii Pilg.
116. Eragrostis dinteri Stapf
117. Eragrostis divaricata Cope
118. Eragrostis divergens R.L.Barrett & P.M.Peterson
119. Eragrostis duricaulis B.S.Sun & S.Wang
120. Eragrostis dyskritos Lasut
121. Eragrostis ecarinata Lazarides
122. Eragrostis echinochloidea Stapf
123. Eragrostis egregia Clayton
124. Eragrostis elatior Stapf
125. Eragrostis elegantissima Chiov.
126. Eragrostis elliottii (Elliott) S.Watson
127. Eragrostis elongata (Willd.) J.Jacq.
128. Eragrostis episcopulus Lambdon, Darlow, Clubbe & Cope
129. Eragrostis eriopoda Benth.
130. Eragrostis erosa Scribn. ex Beal
131. Eragrostis exasperata Peter
132. Eragrostis exelliana Launert
133. Eragrostis exigua Lazarides
134. Eragrostis falcata (Gaudich.) Steud.
135. Eragrostis fallax Lazarides
136. Eragrostis fastigiata Cope
137. Eragrostis fauriei Ohwi
138. Eragrostis fenshamii B.K.Simon
139. Eragrostis ferruginea (Thunb.) P.Beauv.
140. Eragrostis filicaulis Lazarides
141. Eragrostis fimbrillata Cope
142. Eragrostis flavicans Rendle
143. Eragrostis fosbergii Whitney
144. Eragrostis frankii Steud.
145. Eragrostis friesii Pilg.
146. Eragrostis gangetica (Roxb.) Steud.
147. Eragrostis georgii A.Chev.
148. Eragrostis glandulosipedata De Winter
149. Eragrostis glischra Launert
150. Eragrostis gloeodes Ekman
151. Eragrostis gloeophylla S.M.Phillips
152. Eragrostis glutinosa (Sw.) Trin.
153. Eragrostis grandis Hillebr.
154. Eragrostis guatemalensis Withersp.
155. Eragrostis guianensis Hitchc.
156. Eragrostis gulliveri (F.Muell.) R.L.Barrett & P.M.Peterson
157. Eragrostis gummiflua Nees
158. Eragrostis habrantha Rendle
159. Eragrostis hainanensis L.C.Chia
160. Eragrostis henryi Vivek, G.V.S.Murthy & V.J.Nair
161. Eragrostis heteromera Stapf
162. Eragrostis hierniana Rendle
163. Eragrostis hildebrandtii Jedwabn.
164. Eragrostis hirsuta (Michx.) Nees
165. Eragrostis hirta E.Fourn.
166. Eragrostis hirticaulis Lazarides
167. Eragrostis hispida K.Schum.
168. Eragrostis homblei De Wild.
169. Eragrostis homomalla Nees
170. Eragrostis hondurensis R.W.Pohl
171. Eragrostis hugoniana Rendle
172. Eragrostis humbertii A.Camus
173. Eragrostis humidicola Napper
174. Eragrostis hypnoides (Lam.) Britton, Sterns & Poggenb.
175. Eragrostis imberbis (Franch.) Prob.
176. Eragrostis inamoena K.Schum.
177. Eragrostis incrassata Cope
178. Eragrostis infecunda J.M.Black
179. Eragrostis intermedia Hitchc.
180. Eragrostis interrupta P.Beauv.
181. Eragrostis invalida Pilg.
182. Eragrostis jacobsiana B.K.Simon
183. Eragrostis jainii Vivek, G.V.S.Murthy & V.J.Nair
184. Eragrostis japonica (Thunb.) Trin.
185. Eragrostis jerichoensis B.K.Simon
186. Eragrostis kennedyae F.Turner
187. Eragrostis kingesii De Winter
188. Eragrostis kohorica Quézel
189. Eragrostis kuchariana S.M.Phillips
190. Eragrostis kuschelii Skottsb.
191. Eragrostis lacunaria F.Muell.
192. Eragrostis laevissima Hack.
193. Eragrostis lanicaulis Lazarides
194. Eragrostis laniflora Benth.
195. Eragrostis lanipes C.E.Hubb.
196. Eragrostis lappula Nees
197. Eragrostis lasioclada Merr.
198. Eragrostis lateritica Bosser
199. Eragrostis latifolia Cope
200. Eragrostis leersiiformis Launert
201. Eragrostis lehmanniana Nees
202. Eragrostis lepida (A.Rich.) Hochst. ex Steud.
203. Eragrostis lepidobasis Cope
204. Eragrostis leporina (R.Br.) R.L.Barrett & P.M.Peterson
205. Eragrostis leptocarpa Benth.
206. Eragrostis leptophylla Hitchc.
207. Eragrostis leptostachya (R.Br.) Steud.
208. Eragrostis leptotricha Cope
209. Eragrostis leucosticta Nees ex Döll
210. Eragrostis lichiangensis Jedwabn.
211. Eragrostis lilliputiana R.L.Barrett & P.M.Peterson
212. Eragrostis lingulata Clayton
213. Eragrostis longifolia (A.Rich.) Hochst. ex Steud.
214. Eragrostis longipedicellata B.K.Simon
215. Eragrostis longiramea Swallen
216. Eragrostis lugens Nees
217. Eragrostis lurida J.Presl
218. Eragrostis lutensis Cope
219. Eragrostis lutescens Scribn.
220. Eragrostis macilenta (A.Rich.) Steud.
221. Eragrostis macrochlamys Pilg.
222. Eragrostis macrothyrsa Hack.
223. Eragrostis maderaspatana Bor
224. Eragrostis magna Hitchc.
225. Eragrostis mahrana Schweinf.
226. Eragrostis majungensis A.Camus
227. Eragrostis mandrarensis A.Camus
228. Eragrostis mariae Launert
229. Eragrostis mauiensis Hitchc.
230. Eragrostis maypurensis (Kunth) Steud.
231. Eragrostis membranacea Hack.
232. Eragrostis mexicana (Hornem.) Link
233. Eragrostis micrantha Hack.
234. Eragrostis microcarpa Vickery
235. Eragrostis microsperma Rendle
236. Eragrostis mildbraedii Pilg.
237. Eragrostis milnei Launert ex Cope
238. Eragrostis minor Host
239. Eragrostis moggii De Winter
240. Eragrostis mokensis Pilg.
241. Eragrostis mollior Pilg.
242. Eragrostis montana Balansa
243. Eragrostis monticola (Gaudich.) Hillebr.
244. Eragrostis muerensis Pilg.
245. Eragrostis multicaulis Steud.
246. Eragrostis multiflora Trin.
247. Eragrostis nairii Kalidass
248. Eragrostis neesii Trin.
249. Eragrostis nervilemma (B.K.Simon) R.L.Barrett & P.M.Peterson
250. Eragrostis nightingaleae R.L.Barrett & P.M.Peterson
251. Eragrostis nigra Nees ex Steud.
252. Eragrostis nigricans (Kunth) Steud.
253. Eragrostis nilgiriensis Vivek, G.V.S.Murthy & V.J.Nair
254. Eragrostis nindensis Ficalho & Hiern
255. Eragrostis nutans (Retz.) Nees ex Steud.
256. Eragrostis obtusa Munro ex Ficalho & Hiern
257. Eragrostis olida Lazarides
258. Eragrostis oligostachya Cope
259. Eragrostis olivacea K.Schum.
260. Eragrostis omahekensis De Winter
261. Eragrostis oreophila L.H.Harv.
262. Eragrostis orthoclada Hack.
263. Eragrostis ovata (Night.) R.L.Barrett & P.M.Peterson
264. Eragrostis pallens Hack.
265. Eragrostis palmeri S.Watson
266. Eragrostis palustris Zon
267. Eragrostis paniciformis (A.Braun) Steud.
268. Eragrostis papposa (Roem. & Schult.) Steud.
269. Eragrostis paradoxa Launert
270. Eragrostis parviflora (R.Br.) Trin.
271. Eragrostis pascua S.M.Phillips
272. Eragrostis pastoensis (Kunth) Trin.
273. Eragrostis patens Oliv.
274. Eragrostis patentipilosa Hack.
275. Eragrostis patentissima Hack.
276. Eragrostis patula (Kunth) Steud.
277. Eragrostis paupera Jedwabn.
278. Eragrostis pectinacea (Michx.) Nees
279. Eragrostis perbella K.Schum.
280. Eragrostis perennans Keng
281. Eragrostis perennis Döll
282. Eragrostis pergracilis S.T.Blake
283. Eragrostis perplexa L.H.Harv.
284. Eragrostis perrieri A.Camus
285. Eragrostis peruviana (Jacq.) Trin.
286. Eragrostis petraea Lazarides
287. Eragrostis petrensis Renvoize & Longhi-Wagner
288. Eragrostis phyllacantha Cope
289. Eragrostis pilgeri Fedde
290. Eragrostis pilgeriana Dinter ex Pilg.
291. Eragrostis pilosa (L.) P.Beauv.
292. Eragrostis pilosissima Link
293. Eragrostis pilosiuscula Ohwi
294. Eragrostis plana Nees
295. Eragrostis planiculmis Nees
296. Eragrostis plumbea Scribn. ex Beal
297. Eragrostis plurigluma C.E.Hubb.
298. Eragrostis plurinodis Swallen
299. Eragrostis pobeguinii C.E.Hubb.
300. Eragrostis poculiformis Cope
301. Eragrostis polytricha Nees
302. Eragrostis porosa Nees
303. Eragrostis potamophila Lazarides
304. Eragrostis pringlei Mattei
305. Eragrostis procumbens Nees
306. Eragrostis prolifera (Sw.) Steud.
307. Eragrostis propinqua Steud.
308. Eragrostis psammophila S.M.Phillips
309. Eragrostis × pseudobtusa De Winter
310. Eragrostis pseudopoa C.E.Hubb.
311. Eragrostis pubescens (R.Br.) Steud.
312. Eragrostis punctiglandulosa Cope
313. Eragrostis purpurascens (Spreng.) Schult.
314. Eragrostis pusilla Hack.
315. Eragrostis pycnantha (Phil.) Parodi ex Nicora
316. Eragrostis pycnostachys Clayton
317. Eragrostis pygmaea De Winter
318. Eragrostis racemosa (Thunb.) Steud.
319. Eragrostis raynaliana Lebrun
320. Eragrostis refracta (Muhl.) Scribn.
321. Eragrostis rejuvenescens Rendle
322. Eragrostis remotiflora De Winter
323. Eragrostis reptans (Michx.) Nees
324. Eragrostis retinens Hack. & Arechav.
325. Eragrostis rigidiuscula Domin
326. Eragrostis riobrancensis Judz. & P.M.Peterson
327. Eragrostis riparia (Willd.) Nees
328. Eragrostis rivalis H.Scholz
329. Eragrostis rogersii C.E.Hubb.
330. Eragrostis rojasii Hack.
331. Eragrostis rotifer Rendle
332. Eragrostis rottleri Stapf
333. Eragrostis rufescens Schult.
334. Eragrostis rufinerva L.C.Chia
335. Eragrostis sabinae Launert
336. Eragrostis sabulicola Pilg. ex Jedwabn.
337. Eragrostis sabulosa (Steud.) Schweick.
338. Eragrostis sambiranensis A.Camus
339. Eragrostis saresberiensis Launert
340. Eragrostis sarmentosa (Thunb.) Trin.
341. Eragrostis saxatilis Hemsl.
342. Eragrostis scabrida (C.E.Hubb.) R.L.Barrett & P.M.Peterson
343. Eragrostis scabriflora Swallen
344. Eragrostis scaligera Steud.
345. Eragrostis schultzii Benth.
346. Eragrostis schweinfurthii Chiov.
347. Eragrostis sclerantha Nees
348. Eragrostis sclerophylla Trin.
349. Eragrostis scopelophila Pilg.
350. Eragrostis scotelliana Rendle
351. Eragrostis secundiflora J.Presl
352. Eragrostis seminuda Trin.
353. Eragrostis sennii Chiov.
354. Eragrostis sericata Cope
355. Eragrostis sessilispica Buckley
356. Eragrostis setifolia Nees
357. Eragrostis setulifera Pilg.
358. Eragrostis silveana Swallen
359. Eragrostis simpliciflora (J.Presl) Steud.
360. Eragrostis singuaensis Pilg.
361. Eragrostis solida Nees
362. Eragrostis soratensis Jedwabn.
363. Eragrostis sororia Domin
364. Eragrostis speciosa (Roem. & Schult.) Steud.
365. Eragrostis spectabilis (Pursh) Steud.
366. Eragrostis spicata Vasey
367. Eragrostis spicigera Cope
368. Eragrostis squamata (Lam.) Steud.
369. Eragrostis stagnalis Lazarides
370. Eragrostis stapfii De Winter
371. Eragrostis stenostachya (R.Br.) Steud.
372. Eragrostis stenothyrsa Pilg.
373. Eragrostis sterilis Domin
374. Eragrostis stolonifera A.Camus
375. Eragrostis subaequiglumis Renvoize
376. Eragrostis subglandulosa Cope
377. Eragrostis subsecunda (Lam.) E.Fourn.
378. Eragrostis subtilis Lazarides
379. Eragrostis superba Peyr.
380. Eragrostis surreyana K.A.Sheph. & Trudgen
381. Eragrostis swallenii Hitchc.
382. Eragrostis sylviae Cope
383. Eragrostis tef (Zuccagni) Trotter
384. Eragrostis tenella (L.) P.Beauv. ex Roem. & Schult.
385. Eragrostis tenellula (Kunth) Steud.
386. Eragrostis tenuifolia (A.Rich.) Hochst. ex Steud.
387. Eragrostis tephrosanthos Schult.
388. Eragrostis terecaulis Renvoize
389. Eragrostis theinlwinii Bor
390. Eragrostis thollonii Franch.
391. Eragrostis trachyantha Cope
392. Eragrostis trachycarpa (Benth.) Domin
393. Eragrostis tracyi Hitchc.
394. Eragrostis triangularis Henrard
395. Eragrostis trichocolea Arechav.
396. Eragrostis trichodes (Nutt.) Alph.Wood
397. Eragrostis tridentata Cope
398. Eragrostis trimucronata Napper
399. Eragrostis triquetra Lazarides
400. Eragrostis truncata Hack.
401. Eragrostis turgida (Schumach.) De Wild.
402. Eragrostis udawnensis Ohwi
403. Eragrostis unioloides (Retz.) Nees ex Steud.
404. Eragrostis urbaniana Hitchc.
405. Eragrostis usambarensis Napper
406. Eragrostis uvida Lazarides
407. Eragrostis uzondoiensis Sánchez-Ken
408. Eragrostis vacillans Rendle
409. Eragrostis vallsiana Boechat & Longhi-Wagner
410. Eragrostis variabilis (Gaudich.) Steud.
411. Eragrostis variegata Welw. ex Rendle
412. Eragrostis vatovae (Chiov.) S.M.Phillips
413. Eragrostis venustula Cope
414. Eragrostis vernix Boechat & Longhi-Wagner
415. Eragrostis viguieri A.Camus
416. Eragrostis virescens J.Presl
417. Eragrostis viscosa (Retz.) Trin.
418. Eragrostis volkensii Pilg.
419. Eragrostis vulcanica Jedwabn.
420. Eragrostis warburgii Hack.
421. Eragrostis weberbaueri Pilg.
422. Eragrostis welwitschii Rendle
423. Eragrostis wiseana (C.A.Gardner & C.E.Hubb.) R.L.Barrett & P.M.Peterson
424. Eragrostis xerophila Domin
425. Eragrostis zeylanica Nees & Meyen

The Importance of Lovegrass

Beyond their aesthetic appeal, lovegrasses play a significant role in both ecological and economic contexts.

• Ecological Importance: Lovegrasses are an important food source for many animals, including birds, small mammals, and grazing livestock. They also help to prevent soil erosion, stabilize sand dunes, and provide habitat for various insects and other invertebrates.
• Economic Importance: Some species, like teff, are cultivated as grain crops, providing sustenance for millions of people. Others are used for forage, erosion control, and even in the production of biofuels.

However, it’s important to note that some Eragrostis species can also be invasive, outcompeting native plants and disrupting ecosystems. Understanding the potential impacts of different lovegrass species is crucial for responsible land management and conservation efforts.

My Continued Fascination

My exploration of the Eragrostis genus is an ongoing journey. I am continually amazed by the diversity and adaptability of these grasses, and I am eager to learn more about their ecological roles and potential uses. Whether I’m admiring the delicate beauty of a wild lovegrass meadow or delving into the scientific literature on their genetic diversity, my fascination with this remarkable genus only deepens with time.

I believe that fostering an appreciation for the plant world, including often-overlooked species like lovegrasses, is essential for promoting environmental awareness and conservation. By understanding the intricate connections within our ecosystems, we can better appreciate the delicate balance of nature and work towards a more sustainable future.