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.

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