Bigtop Love Grass Eragrostis hirsuta
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- er-uh-GROS-tis her-SOO-tuh
- Description
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Bigtop love grass is a native perennial, ornamental in the grass family (Poaceae) that is native to eastern United States including North Carolina. It can be found from Maryland south to Florida and west to Texas growing in sandy, clay, loam soils. At maturity, it can reach a height of 40 inches with a wide spread. It thrives on the coastal plain and in disturbed areas such as along roadsides and fields. The genus name comes from the Greek words eros meaning love and agrostis meaning grass. The species name is derived from the Greek word 'hirsutus', meaning somewhat hairy
Bigtop love grass does best in dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. The plants do well in sandy soils and, once established, have some drought tolerance. Plants will self-seed in optimum growing conditions.
To encourage growth, cut back the foliage to the ground in late winter to early spring. Propagate by division in early spring.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
No known diseases or insect pests.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Eragrostis
- Species:
- hirsuta
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central and southeastern United States and Mexico.
- Distribution:
- Massachusetts south to Florida and west to Texas. Southeastern and Northeastern Mexico.
- Wildlife Value:
- Provides nesting habitat for stem nesting bees
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
- Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Ascending
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Caryopsis
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- Panicles are 10 to 30 inches long with spikelets along the inflorescences' main and side branches. Spikelets have 2 to 4 florets that are green to purplish in color. Blooms from mid-Summer into Fall.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Leaf Type:
- Sheath
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Narrow green whispy leaves are 10 to 24 inches long and may have basal hairs. The blades are flat to loosely curved. Margins are rough to the touch.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Pith (Split Longitudinally):
- Spongy
- Stem Description:
- Stems erect and tufted.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Walkways
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
