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African lovegrass Eragrostis curvula

Phonetic Spelling
er-uh-GROS-tis kur-vew-la
This plant is an invasive species in North Carolina
Description

This ornamental grass is native to Africa and is densely tufted and has delicate features. It was originally brought to the US for erosion control and animal forage.  This plant is definitely cold tolerant, however, in warmer climates it is a vigorous grower and self-seeder that easily jumps boundaries and has an extensive root system. It is listed as invasive in VA, GA, and SC.

There are several variants of this grass so they will have some differences in appearance. Generally, the grass has weeping leaves up to 2 feet long and very narrow. The margins may be rolled inward. The inflorescence is a panicle with spikelets up the stem, each containing up to 15 flowers. Each panicle can produce 1000 seeds. It has now spread over much of the eastern USA as far north as NY and west to CA. The thick roots can penetrate several feet deep and wide. It prefers lighter soils with low fertility and full sun to part shade.

Please plant less aggressive ornamental grass. See suggestions to the left.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#arching#invasive#drought tolerant#ornamental grass#high maintenance#aggressive#airy#billowy#sandy soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#mat forming
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#arching#invasive#drought tolerant#ornamental grass#high maintenance#aggressive#airy#billowy#sandy soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#mat forming
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Eragrostis
    Species:
    curvula
    Family:
    Poaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southern Africa
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Clumping
    Dense
    Mounding
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Winter
    Fruit Type:
    Caryopsis
  • Flowers:
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Description:
    Arching, open lavender-gray panicles in mid to late summer. Each pannicle is 10-16 inches long with has spikelets along the stems that are 3-6 inches long with up to 15 flowers in each. Flowers June- Aug.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Sheath
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Whorled
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Linear
    Oblong
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves green in summer; often yellow to bronze in winter. They are up to 2 feet long and very narrow with some long hairs at the sheath base. Margins roll inward
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    The stems are erect, densely tufted, and unbranched
  • Landscape:
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Erosion
    Problems:
    Invasive Species