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:
- Eragrostis abortiva (R.Br.) Steud.
- Eragrostis acamptoclada Cope
- Eragrostis acraea De Winter
- Eragrostis acutiflora (Kunth) Nees
- Eragrostis acutiglumis Parodi
- Eragrostis aegyptiaca (Willd.) Delile
- Eragrostis aethiopica Chiov.
- Eragrostis agrostoides (Benth.) R.L.Barrett & P.M.Peterson
- Eragrostis airoides Nees
- Eragrostis albensis H.Scholz
- Eragrostis alopecuroides Balansa
- Eragrostis alta Keng
- Eragrostis alveiformis Lazarides
- Eragrostis amanda Clayton
- Eragrostis ambleia Clayton
- Eragrostis ambohibengensis A.Camus
- Eragrostis ambositrensis A.Camus
- Eragrostis ambrensis A.Camus
- Eragrostis amurensis Prob.
- Eragrostis anacrantha Cope
- Eragrostis anacranthoides Cope
- Eragrostis andicola R.E.Fr.
- Eragrostis annulata Rendle ex Scott Elliot
- Eragrostis anomala (C.E.Hubb.) R.L.Barrett & P.M.Peterson
- Eragrostis apiculata Döll
- Eragrostis appressa (S.T.Blake) R.L.Barrett & P.M.Peterson
- Eragrostis aquatica Honda
- Eragrostis arenicola C.E.Hubb.
- Eragrostis aristata De Winter
- Eragrostis aristiglumis Kabuye
- Eragrostis articulata (Schrank) Nees
- Eragrostis aspera (Jacq.) Nees
- Eragrostis astrepta S.M.Phillips
- Eragrostis astreptoclada Cope
- Eragrostis atropioides Hillebr.
- Eragrostis atrovirens (Desf.) Trin. ex Steud.
- Eragrostis attenuata Hitchc.
- Eragrostis aurorae Launert
- Eragrostis autumnalis Keng
- Eragrostis bahamensis Hitchc.
- Eragrostis bahiensis Schult.
- Eragrostis baileyi (C.E.Hubb.) R.L.Barrett & P.M.Peterson
- Eragrostis balgooyi Veldkamp
- Eragrostis barbinodis Hack.
- Eragrostis barbulata Stapf
- Eragrostis barrelieri Daveau
- Eragrostis barteri C.E.Hubb.
- Eragrostis basedowii Jedwabn.
- Eragrostis bemarivensis A.Camus
- Eragrostis bergiana (Kunth) Trin.
- Eragrostis berteroniana (Schult.) Steud.
- Eragrostis betsileensis A.Camus
- Eragrostis bicolor Nees
- Eragrostis biflora Hack.
- Eragrostis blakei (C.E.Hubb.) R.L.Barrett & P.M.Peterson
- Eragrostis blepharostachya K.Schum.
- Eragrostis boinensis A.Camus
- Eragrostis boivinii Steud.
- Eragrostis boriana Launert
- Eragrostis botryodes Clayton
- Eragrostis brainii (Stent) Launert
- Eragrostis braunii Schweinf.
- Eragrostis brizantha Nees
- Eragrostis brownii (Kunth) Nees
- Eragrostis burmanica Bor
- Eragrostis caesia Stapf
- Eragrostis caespitosa Chiov.
- Eragrostis camerunensis Clayton
- Eragrostis canescens C.E.Hubb.
- Eragrostis caniflora Rendle
- Eragrostis capensis (Thunb.) Trin.
- Eragrostis capillaris (L.) Nees
- Eragrostis capitula Lazarides
- Eragrostis capitulifera Chiov.
- Eragrostis capuronii A.Camus
- Eragrostis carolinensis Jedwabn.
- Eragrostis cassa Lazarides
- Eragrostis castellaneana Buscal. & Muschl.
- Eragrostis cataclasta Nicora
- Eragrostis cenolepis Clayton
- Eragrostis chabouisii Bosser
- Eragrostis chalarothyrsos C.E.Hubb.
- Eragrostis chapelieri (Kunth) Nees
- Eragrostis chiquitaniensis Killeen
- Eragrostis cilianensis (All.) Vignolo ex Janch.
- Eragrostis ciliaris (L.) R.Br.
- Eragrostis ciliata (Roxb.) Nees
- Eragrostis cimicina Launert
- Eragrostis coarctata Stapf
- Eragrostis collina Trin.
- Eragrostis collinensis Vivek, G.V.S.Murthy & V.J.Nair
- Eragrostis comptonii De Winter
- Eragrostis concinna (R.Br.) Steud.
- Eragrostis condensata (J.Presl) Steud.
- Eragrostis conertii Lobin
- Eragrostis confertiflora J.M.Black
- Eragrostis confusa (C.E.Hubb.) R.L.Barrett & P.M.Peterson
- Eragrostis congesta Oliv.
- Eragrostis contrerasii R.W.Pohl
- Eragrostis crassinervis Hack.
- Eragrostis crateriformis Lazarides
- Eragrostis cubensis Hitchc.
- Eragrostis cumingii Steud.
- Eragrostis curtipedicellata Buckley
- Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees
- Eragrostis cylindrica (Roxb.) Arn.
- Eragrostis cylindriflora Hochst.
- Eragrostis danesii (Domin) R.L.Barrett & P.M.Peterson
- Eragrostis deccanensis Bor
- Eragrostis decumbens Renvoize
- Eragrostis deflexa Hitchc.
- Eragrostis dentifera Launert
- Eragrostis desertorum Domin
- Eragrostis desolata Launert
- Eragrostis dielsii Pilg.
- Eragrostis dinteri Stapf
- Eragrostis divaricata Cope
- Eragrostis divergens R.L.Barrett & P.M.Peterson
- Eragrostis duricaulis B.S.Sun & S.Wang
- Eragrostis dyskritos Lasut
- Eragrostis ecarinata Lazarides
- Eragrostis echinochloidea Stapf
- Eragrostis egregia Clayton
- Eragrostis elatior Stapf
- Eragrostis elegantissima Chiov.
- Eragrostis elliottii (Elliott) S.Watson
- Eragrostis elongata (Willd.) J.Jacq.
- Eragrostis episcopulus Lambdon, Darlow, Clubbe & Cope
- Eragrostis eriopoda Benth.
- Eragrostis erosa Scribn. ex Beal
- Eragrostis exasperata Peter
- Eragrostis exelliana Launert
- Eragrostis exigua Lazarides
- Eragrostis falcata (Gaudich.) Steud.
- Eragrostis fallax Lazarides
- Eragrostis fastigiata Cope
- Eragrostis fauriei Ohwi
- Eragrostis fenshamii B.K.Simon
- Eragrostis ferruginea (Thunb.) P.Beauv.
- Eragrostis filicaulis Lazarides
- Eragrostis fimbrillata Cope
- Eragrostis flavicans Rendle
- Eragrostis fosbergii Whitney
- Eragrostis frankii Steud.
- Eragrostis friesii Pilg.
- Eragrostis gangetica (Roxb.) Steud.
- Eragrostis georgii A.Chev.
- Eragrostis glandulosipedata De Winter
- Eragrostis glischra Launert
- Eragrostis gloeodes Ekman
- Eragrostis gloeophylla S.M.Phillips
- Eragrostis glutinosa (Sw.) Trin.
- Eragrostis grandis Hillebr.
- Eragrostis guatemalensis Withersp.
- Eragrostis guianensis Hitchc.
- Eragrostis gulliveri (F.Muell.) R.L.Barrett & P.M.Peterson
- Eragrostis gummiflua Nees
- Eragrostis habrantha Rendle
- Eragrostis hainanensis L.C.Chia
- Eragrostis henryi Vivek, G.V.S.Murthy & V.J.Nair
- Eragrostis heteromera Stapf
- Eragrostis hierniana Rendle
- Eragrostis hildebrandtii Jedwabn.
- Eragrostis hirsuta (Michx.) Nees
- Eragrostis hirta E.Fourn.
- Eragrostis hirticaulis Lazarides
- Eragrostis hispida K.Schum.
- Eragrostis homblei De Wild.
- Eragrostis homomalla Nees
- Eragrostis hondurensis R.W.Pohl
- Eragrostis hugoniana Rendle
- Eragrostis humbertii A.Camus
- Eragrostis humidicola Napper
- Eragrostis hypnoides (Lam.) Britton, Sterns & Poggenb.
- Eragrostis imberbis (Franch.) Prob.
- Eragrostis inamoena K.Schum.
- Eragrostis incrassata Cope
- Eragrostis infecunda J.M.Black
- Eragrostis intermedia Hitchc.
- Eragrostis interrupta P.Beauv.
- Eragrostis invalida Pilg.
- Eragrostis jacobsiana B.K.Simon
- Eragrostis jainii Vivek, G.V.S.Murthy & V.J.Nair
- Eragrostis japonica (Thunb.) Trin.
- Eragrostis jerichoensis B.K.Simon
- Eragrostis kennedyae F.Turner
- Eragrostis kingesii De Winter
- Eragrostis kohorica Quézel
- Eragrostis kuchariana S.M.Phillips
- Eragrostis kuschelii Skottsb.
- Eragrostis lacunaria F.Muell.
- Eragrostis laevissima Hack.
- Eragrostis lanicaulis Lazarides
- Eragrostis laniflora Benth.
- Eragrostis lanipes C.E.Hubb.
- Eragrostis lappula Nees
- Eragrostis lasioclada Merr.
- Eragrostis lateritica Bosser
- Eragrostis latifolia Cope
- Eragrostis leersiiformis Launert
- Eragrostis lehmanniana Nees
- Eragrostis lepida (A.Rich.) Hochst. ex Steud.
- Eragrostis lepidobasis Cope
- Eragrostis leporina (R.Br.) R.L.Barrett & P.M.Peterson
- Eragrostis leptocarpa Benth.
- Eragrostis leptophylla Hitchc.
- Eragrostis leptostachya (R.Br.) Steud.
- Eragrostis leptotricha Cope
- Eragrostis leucosticta Nees ex Döll
- Eragrostis lichiangensis Jedwabn.
- Eragrostis lilliputiana R.L.Barrett & P.M.Peterson
- Eragrostis lingulata Clayton
- Eragrostis longifolia (A.Rich.) Hochst. ex Steud.
- Eragrostis longipedicellata B.K.Simon
- Eragrostis longiramea Swallen
- Eragrostis lugens Nees
- Eragrostis lurida J.Presl
- Eragrostis lutensis Cope
- Eragrostis lutescens Scribn.
- Eragrostis macilenta (A.Rich.) Steud.
- Eragrostis macrochlamys Pilg.
- Eragrostis macrothyrsa Hack.
- Eragrostis maderaspatana Bor
- Eragrostis magna Hitchc.
- Eragrostis mahrana Schweinf.
- Eragrostis majungensis A.Camus
- Eragrostis mandrarensis A.Camus
- Eragrostis mariae Launert
- Eragrostis mauiensis Hitchc.
- Eragrostis maypurensis (Kunth) Steud.
- Eragrostis membranacea Hack.
- Eragrostis mexicana (Hornem.) Link
- Eragrostis micrantha Hack.
- Eragrostis microcarpa Vickery
- Eragrostis microsperma Rendle
- Eragrostis mildbraedii Pilg.
- Eragrostis milnei Launert ex Cope
- Eragrostis minor Host
- Eragrostis moggii De Winter
- Eragrostis mokensis Pilg.
- Eragrostis mollior Pilg.
- Eragrostis montana Balansa
- Eragrostis monticola (Gaudich.) Hillebr.
- Eragrostis muerensis Pilg.
- Eragrostis multicaulis Steud.
- Eragrostis multiflora Trin.
- Eragrostis nairii Kalidass
- Eragrostis neesii Trin.
- Eragrostis nervilemma (B.K.Simon) R.L.Barrett & P.M.Peterson
- Eragrostis nightingaleae R.L.Barrett & P.M.Peterson
- Eragrostis nigra Nees ex Steud.
- Eragrostis nigricans (Kunth) Steud.
- Eragrostis nilgiriensis Vivek, G.V.S.Murthy & V.J.Nair
- Eragrostis nindensis Ficalho & Hiern
- Eragrostis nutans (Retz.) Nees ex Steud.
- Eragrostis obtusa Munro ex Ficalho & Hiern
- Eragrostis olida Lazarides
- Eragrostis oligostachya Cope
- Eragrostis olivacea K.Schum.
- Eragrostis omahekensis De Winter
- Eragrostis oreophila L.H.Harv.
- Eragrostis orthoclada Hack.
- Eragrostis ovata (Night.) R.L.Barrett & P.M.Peterson
- Eragrostis pallens Hack.
- Eragrostis palmeri S.Watson
- Eragrostis palustris Zon
- Eragrostis paniciformis (A.Braun) Steud.
- Eragrostis papposa (Roem. & Schult.) Steud.
- Eragrostis paradoxa Launert
- Eragrostis parviflora (R.Br.) Trin.
- Eragrostis pascua S.M.Phillips
- Eragrostis pastoensis (Kunth) Trin.
- Eragrostis patens Oliv.
- Eragrostis patentipilosa Hack.
- Eragrostis patentissima Hack.
- Eragrostis patula (Kunth) Steud.
- Eragrostis paupera Jedwabn.
- Eragrostis pectinacea (Michx.) Nees
- Eragrostis perbella K.Schum.
- Eragrostis perennans Keng
- Eragrostis perennis Döll
- Eragrostis pergracilis S.T.Blake
- Eragrostis perplexa L.H.Harv.
- Eragrostis perrieri A.Camus
- Eragrostis peruviana (Jacq.) Trin.
- Eragrostis petraea Lazarides
- Eragrostis petrensis Renvoize & Longhi-Wagner
- Eragrostis phyllacantha Cope
- Eragrostis pilgeri Fedde
- Eragrostis pilgeriana Dinter ex Pilg.
- Eragrostis pilosa (L.) P.Beauv.
- Eragrostis pilosissima Link
- Eragrostis pilosiuscula Ohwi
- Eragrostis plana Nees
- Eragrostis planiculmis Nees
- Eragrostis plumbea Scribn. ex Beal
- Eragrostis plurigluma C.E.Hubb.
- Eragrostis plurinodis Swallen
- Eragrostis pobeguinii C.E.Hubb.
- Eragrostis poculiformis Cope
- Eragrostis polytricha Nees
- Eragrostis porosa Nees
- Eragrostis potamophila Lazarides
- Eragrostis pringlei Mattei
- Eragrostis procumbens Nees
- Eragrostis prolifera (Sw.) Steud.
- Eragrostis propinqua Steud.
- Eragrostis psammophila S.M.Phillips
- Eragrostis × pseudobtusa De Winter
- Eragrostis pseudopoa C.E.Hubb.
- Eragrostis pubescens (R.Br.) Steud.
- Eragrostis punctiglandulosa Cope
- Eragrostis purpurascens (Spreng.) Schult.
- Eragrostis pusilla Hack.
- Eragrostis pycnantha (Phil.) Parodi ex Nicora
- Eragrostis pycnostachys Clayton
- Eragrostis pygmaea De Winter
- Eragrostis racemosa (Thunb.) Steud.
- Eragrostis raynaliana Lebrun
- Eragrostis refracta (Muhl.) Scribn.
- Eragrostis rejuvenescens Rendle
- Eragrostis remotiflora De Winter
- Eragrostis reptans (Michx.) Nees
- Eragrostis retinens Hack. & Arechav.
- Eragrostis rigidiuscula Domin
- Eragrostis riobrancensis Judz. & P.M.Peterson
- Eragrostis riparia (Willd.) Nees
- Eragrostis rivalis H.Scholz
- Eragrostis rogersii C.E.Hubb.
- Eragrostis rojasii Hack.
- Eragrostis rotifer Rendle
- Eragrostis rottleri Stapf
- Eragrostis rufescens Schult.
- Eragrostis rufinerva L.C.Chia
- Eragrostis sabinae Launert
- Eragrostis sabulicola Pilg. ex Jedwabn.
- Eragrostis sabulosa (Steud.) Schweick.
- Eragrostis sambiranensis A.Camus
- Eragrostis saresberiensis Launert
- Eragrostis sarmentosa (Thunb.) Trin.
- Eragrostis saxatilis Hemsl.
- Eragrostis scabrida (C.E.Hubb.) R.L.Barrett & P.M.Peterson
- Eragrostis scabriflora Swallen
- Eragrostis scaligera Steud.
- Eragrostis schultzii Benth.
- Eragrostis schweinfurthii Chiov.
- Eragrostis sclerantha Nees
- Eragrostis sclerophylla Trin.
- Eragrostis scopelophila Pilg.
- Eragrostis scotelliana Rendle
- Eragrostis secundiflora J.Presl
- Eragrostis seminuda Trin.
- Eragrostis sennii Chiov.
- Eragrostis sericata Cope
- Eragrostis sessilispica Buckley
- Eragrostis setifolia Nees
- Eragrostis setulifera Pilg.
- Eragrostis silveana Swallen
- Eragrostis simpliciflora (J.Presl) Steud.
- Eragrostis singuaensis Pilg.
- Eragrostis solida Nees
- Eragrostis soratensis Jedwabn.
- Eragrostis sororia Domin
- Eragrostis speciosa (Roem. & Schult.) Steud.
- Eragrostis spectabilis (Pursh) Steud.
- Eragrostis spicata Vasey
- Eragrostis spicigera Cope
- Eragrostis squamata (Lam.) Steud.
- Eragrostis stagnalis Lazarides
- Eragrostis stapfii De Winter
- Eragrostis stenostachya (R.Br.) Steud.
- Eragrostis stenothyrsa Pilg.
- Eragrostis sterilis Domin
- Eragrostis stolonifera A.Camus
- Eragrostis subaequiglumis Renvoize
- Eragrostis subglandulosa Cope
- Eragrostis subsecunda (Lam.) E.Fourn.
- Eragrostis subtilis Lazarides
- Eragrostis superba Peyr.
- Eragrostis surreyana K.A.Sheph. & Trudgen
- Eragrostis swallenii Hitchc.
- Eragrostis sylviae Cope
- Eragrostis tef (Zuccagni) Trotter
- Eragrostis tenella (L.) P.Beauv. ex Roem. & Schult.
- Eragrostis tenellula (Kunth) Steud.
- Eragrostis tenuifolia (A.Rich.) Hochst. ex Steud.
- Eragrostis tephrosanthos Schult.
- Eragrostis terecaulis Renvoize
- Eragrostis theinlwinii Bor
- Eragrostis thollonii Franch.
- Eragrostis trachyantha Cope
- Eragrostis trachycarpa (Benth.) Domin
- Eragrostis tracyi Hitchc.
- Eragrostis triangularis Henrard
- Eragrostis trichocolea Arechav.
- Eragrostis trichodes (Nutt.) Alph.Wood
- Eragrostis tridentata Cope
- Eragrostis trimucronata Napper
- Eragrostis triquetra Lazarides
- Eragrostis truncata Hack.
- Eragrostis turgida (Schumach.) De Wild.
- Eragrostis udawnensis Ohwi
- Eragrostis unioloides (Retz.) Nees ex Steud.
- Eragrostis urbaniana Hitchc.
- Eragrostis usambarensis Napper
- Eragrostis uvida Lazarides
- Eragrostis uzondoiensis Sánchez-Ken
- Eragrostis vacillans Rendle
- Eragrostis vallsiana Boechat & Longhi-Wagner
- Eragrostis variabilis (Gaudich.) Steud.
- Eragrostis variegata Welw. ex Rendle
- Eragrostis vatovae (Chiov.) S.M.Phillips
- Eragrostis venustula Cope
- Eragrostis vernix Boechat & Longhi-Wagner
- Eragrostis viguieri A.Camus
- Eragrostis virescens J.Presl
- Eragrostis viscosa (Retz.) Trin.
- Eragrostis volkensii Pilg.
- Eragrostis vulcanica Jedwabn.
- Eragrostis warburgii Hack.
- Eragrostis weberbaueri Pilg.
- Eragrostis welwitschii Rendle
- Eragrostis wiseana (C.A.Gardner & C.E.Hubb.) R.L.Barrett & P.M.Peterson
- Eragrostis xerophila Domin
- 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.