Weeping Lovegrass

Scientific Name: Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees


Classification: Plantae/ Tracheobionta / Spermatophyta / Magnoliophyta / Liliopsida / Commelinidae / Cyperales / Poaceae / Gramineae / Eragrostis von Wolf/ Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees

Weeping Lovegrass
General Information
Usda SymbolERCU2
GroupMonocot
Life CyclePerennial
Growth HabitsGraminoid
Native LocationsERCU2

Plant Guide

Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Weeping Lovegrass.

Fact Sheet

Uses

Erosion control: Weeping lovegrass is used as a temporary cover for erosion control purposes. On surface mine spoil, it provides almost immediate cover on steep outer slopes where spoil is rather acidic and of low fertility. Crops: Weeping lovegrass is used as a nurse crop when seeding sericea lespedeza, coastal panic grass, or switchgrass. When seeding black locust or bristly locust, it serves as a companion species.

Status

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s current status (e.g. threatened or endangered species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

Description

Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees, weeping lovegrass, is a rapidly growing warm-season bunchgrass that was introduced into the U. S. from East Africa. The many long, narrow leaves emerging from a tight tuft are pendulous, with the tips almost touching the ground. The drooping leaf characteristic gives rise to the name “weeping” lovegrass. Leaf height is rarely above 12 inches. The seed heads are open panicles, reaching a height of 30 to 40 inches and containing numerous small, fine seeds.

Adaptation

Weeping lovegrass prefers a light-textured, well-drained soil, and will thrive on soils of low fertility. Climatic conditions determine its range of adaptation. Low winter temperatures will prevent regrowth and cause the grass to act as an annual or a short-lived perennial. Weeping lovegrass is distributed throughout the southern United States. For a current distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Website.

Establishment

This grass is easy to establish by seed, Seed alone at a rate of 3 to 5 pounds per acre, or 1 to 2 pounds per acre in mixtures with other species, Seeds will germinate quickly and plant growth is rapid, The seed is extremely fine, requiring mechanical seeding equipment to have small seed attachments, If seeded with a ‘hand’ cyclone seeder, the lovegrass seed should be mixed with a diluent or a carrier (cornmeal, sand, or fine sawdust) for uniform distribution of seed, Do not cover seed more than 1/2 to 1 inch on sandy soils; 1/4 inch is sufficient on silt loams, Cultipacking soil before seeding is helpful, USDA NRCS National Plant Materials Center Beltsville, MD Sites too steep or stony for use of mechanical equipment can be seeded without soil scarification, Broadcast seeding by air or use of hydroseeders is successful if seeding rates are increased to compensate for poor seedbed, Where possible, the soil should be scarified and firmed, Normally, weeping lovegrass can be planted after danger of severe frost is over, and anytime throughout the summer with success, Lime and fertilizer needs are similar to that for tall fescue and ryegrass when used for temporary cover, , Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Weeping Lovegrass.

Management

Because of its short duration, there is no management required for weeping lovegrass. It is palatable to livestock and should be protected where this possibility exists.

Plant Traits

Growth Requirements

Fertility RequirementHigh
Cold Stratification RequiredNo
Cold Stratification RequiredNo
Cold Stratification RequiredNo
Cold Stratification RequiredNo
Cold Stratification RequiredNo
Cold Stratification RequiredNo
Drought ToleranceHigh
Drought ToleranceHigh
Drought ToleranceHigh
Drought ToleranceHigh
Drought ToleranceHigh
Drought ToleranceHigh
Fertility RequirementHigh
Fertility RequirementHigh
Fertility RequirementHigh
CaCO3 ToleranceHigh
Fertility RequirementHigh
Fertility RequirementMedium
Fire ToleranceMedium
Fire ToleranceMedium
Fire ToleranceMedium
Fire ToleranceMedium
Fire ToleranceMedium
Fire ToleranceMedium
Frost Free Days, Minimum160
Frost Free Days, Minimum180
Frost Free Days, Minimum200
Frost Free Days, Minimum200
Frost Free Days, Minimum210
Frost Free Days, Minimum240
Adapted to Medium Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Coarse Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Coarse Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Coarse Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Coarse Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Coarse Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Coarse Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Fine Textured SoilsNo
Adapted to Fine Textured SoilsNo
Adapted to Fine Textured SoilsNo
Adapted to Fine Textured SoilsNo
Adapted to Fine Textured SoilsNo
Adapted to Fine Textured SoilsNo
Adapted to Medium Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Medium Textured SoilsYes
Temperature, Minimum (°F)7
Adapted to Medium Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Medium Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Medium Textured SoilsYes
Anaerobic ToleranceLow
Anaerobic ToleranceLow
Anaerobic ToleranceLow
Anaerobic ToleranceLow
Anaerobic ToleranceLow
Anaerobic ToleranceLow
CaCO3 ToleranceHigh
CaCO3 ToleranceHigh
CaCO3 ToleranceHigh
CaCO3 ToleranceHigh
CaCO3 ToleranceHigh
Salinity ToleranceLow
Precipitation, Minimum10
Precipitation, Minimum10
Precipitation, Minimum15
Precipitation, Minimum15
Precipitation, Minimum15
Precipitation, Minimum15
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)14
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)14
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)14
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)14
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)14
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)16
Salinity ToleranceLow
Salinity ToleranceLow
Hedge ToleranceNone
Salinity ToleranceLow
Salinity ToleranceLow
Salinity ToleranceLow
Shade ToleranceIntolerant
Shade ToleranceIntolerant
Shade ToleranceIntolerant
Shade ToleranceIntolerant
Shade ToleranceIntolerant
Shade ToleranceIntolerant
Temperature, Minimum (°F)-3
Temperature, Minimum (°F)-3
Temperature, Minimum (°F)-8
Temperature, Minimum (°F)2
Temperature, Minimum (°F)2
Precipitation, Maximum40
Hedge ToleranceNone
Hedge ToleranceNone
Hedge ToleranceNone
Hedge ToleranceNone
Hedge ToleranceNone
Moisture UseMedium
Moisture UseMedium
Moisture UseMedium
Moisture UseMedium
Moisture UseMedium
Moisture UseMedium
pH, Maximum8.0
pH, Maximum8.0
pH, Maximum8.0
pH, Maximum8.0
pH, Maximum8.0
Precipitation, Maximum40
Precipitation, Maximum40
Precipitation, Maximum40
Precipitation, Maximum40
Precipitation, Maximum40
pH, Minimum4.5
pH, Minimum4.5
pH, Minimum4.5
pH, Minimum4.5
pH, Minimum4.5
pH, Minimum4.5
pH, Maximum8.5


Morphology/Physiology

Resprout AbilityNo
Resprout AbilityNo
Resprout AbilityNo
Resprout AbilityNo
Resprout AbilityNo
Shape and OrientationErect
Shape and OrientationErect
Shape and OrientationErect
Shape and OrientationErect
Shape and OrientationErect
Shape and OrientationErect
ToxicityNone
ToxicityNone
ToxicityNone
ToxicityNone
ToxicityNone
ToxicityNone
Active Growth PeriodSummer
Flower ColorYellow
Flower ConspicuousNo
Flower ConspicuousNo
Flower ConspicuousNo
Flower ConspicuousNo
Flower ColorYellow
Flower ColorYellow
Flower ColorYellow
Flower ColorYellow
Flower ConspicuousNo
Flower ColorYellow
Fire ResistantNo
Fire ResistantNo
Fire ResistantNo
Fire ResistantNo
Fire ResistantNo
Fire ResistantNo
Fall ConspicuousNo
Foliage Porosity SummerDense
Foliage Porosity WinterPorous
Foliage Porosity WinterPorous
Foliage Porosity WinterPorous
Foliage Porosity SummerModerate
Foliage Porosity SummerModerate
Foliage Porosity SummerModerate
Foliage Porosity SummerModerate
Foliage Porosity SummerModerate
Fall ConspicuousNo
Foliage ColorGreen
Foliage ColorGreen
Foliage ColorGreen
Foliage ColorGreen
Foliage ColorGreen
Foliage ColorGreen
Flower ConspicuousNo
After Harvest Regrowth RateModerate
BloatNone
BloatNone
BloatNone
BloatNone
BloatNone
After Harvest Regrowth RateSlow
After Harvest Regrowth RateModerate
After Harvest Regrowth RateModerate
BloatNone
After Harvest Regrowth RateModerate
After Harvest Regrowth RateModerate
Active Growth PeriodSummer
Active Growth PeriodSummer
Active Growth PeriodSummer
Active Growth PeriodSummer
Active Growth PeriodSummer
Resprout AbilityNo
Coppice PotentialNo
Fall ConspicuousNo
Fall ConspicuousNo
Fall ConspicuousNo
Fall ConspicuousNo
Coppice PotentialNo
Coppice PotentialNo
Coppice PotentialNo
Coppice PotentialNo
Nitrogen FixationNone
Coppice PotentialNo
C:N RatioMedium
C:N RatioMedium
C:N RatioMedium
C:N RatioMedium
C:N RatioMedium
C:N RatioHigh
Known AllelopathNo
Leaf RetentionNo
Leaf RetentionNo
Leaf RetentionNo
Leaf RetentionNo
Leaf RetentionNo
Leaf RetentionNo
Known AllelopathNo
Known AllelopathNo
LifespanShort
Known AllelopathNo
Known AllelopathNo
Known AllelopathNo
Height, Mature (feet)3.0
Height, Mature (feet)3.0
Height, Mature (feet)3.0
Height, Mature (feet)3.0
Low Growing GrassNo
Nitrogen FixationNone
Nitrogen FixationNone
Nitrogen FixationNone
Nitrogen FixationNone
Nitrogen FixationNone
Low Growing GrassNo
Low Growing GrassNo
Low Growing GrassNo
Foliage Porosity WinterPorous
Low Growing GrassNo
Low Growing GrassNo
LifespanShort
LifespanShort
LifespanShort
LifespanShort
LifespanShort
Foliage TextureMedium
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousNo
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousNo
Fruit/Seed ColorBrown
Fruit/Seed ColorBrown
Fruit/Seed ColorBrown
Fruit/Seed ColorBrown
Fruit/Seed ColorBrown
Fruit/Seed ColorBrown
Height, Mature (feet)3.0
Foliage TextureMedium
Foliage TextureMedium
Foliage TextureMedium
Foliage TextureMedium
Foliage TextureFine
Foliage Porosity WinterPorous
Foliage Porosity WinterPorous
Height, Mature (feet)3.0
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousNo
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousNo
Growth RateRapid
Growth RateRapid
Growth RateRapid
Growth RateRapid
Growth RateRapid
Growth RateRapid
Growth FormBunch
Growth FormBunch
Growth FormBunch
Growth FormBunch
Growth FormBunch
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousNo
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousNo
Growth FormBunch


Reproduction

Propagated by SodNo
Propagated by SodNo
Propagated by SprigsNo
Propagated by SprigsNo
Propagated by SprigsNo
Propagated by SprigsNo
Propagated by SprigsNo
Propagated by SprigsNo
Propagated by TubersNo
Propagated by TubersNo
Propagated by TubersNo
Propagated by TubersNo
Propagated by TubersNo
Propagated by TubersNo
Fruit/Seed PersistenceNo
Propagated by SodNo
Propagated by SodNo
Propagated by SodNo
Propagated by SodNo
Propagated by SeedYes
Propagated by SeedYes
Propagated by SeedYes
Propagated by SeedYes
Propagated by SeedYes
Propagated by SeedYes
Propagated by CuttingsNo
Propagated by CuttingsNo
Propagated by CuttingsNo
Propagated by CuttingsNo
Propagated by CuttingsNo
Seedling VigorHigh
Vegetative Spread RateNone
Vegetative Spread RateNone
Vegetative Spread RateNone
Vegetative Spread RateNone
Vegetative Spread RateNone
Vegetative Spread RateNone
Small GrainNo
Small GrainNo
Small GrainNo
Small GrainNo
Small GrainNo
Small GrainNo
Seedling VigorHigh
Seedling VigorHigh
Seed per Pound1482320
Seedling VigorHigh
Seedling VigorHigh
Seedling VigorHigh
Seed Spread RateModerate
Seed Spread RateModerate
Seed Spread RateModerate
Seed Spread RateModerate
Seed Spread RateModerate
Seed Spread RateModerate
Seed per Pound1482320
Seed per Pound1482320
Seed per Pound1482320
Seed per Pound1482320
Seed per Pound1482320
Fruit/Seed AbundanceHigh
Fruit/Seed Period EndSummer
Fruit/Seed Period EndSummer
Fruit/Seed Period EndSummer
Fruit/Seed Period EndSummer
Fruit/Seed Period EndSummer
Fruit/Seed Period BeginSummer
Fruit/Seed Period BeginSummer
Fruit/Seed Period BeginSummer
Fruit/Seed Period BeginSummer
Fruit/Seed Period BeginSummer
Fruit/Seed Period BeginSpring
Fruit/Seed AbundanceHigh
Fruit/Seed AbundanceHigh
Fruit/Seed AbundanceHigh
Fruit/Seed AbundanceHigh
Propagated by CormNo
Fruit/Seed AbundanceHigh
Commercial AvailabilityRoutinely Available
Commercial AvailabilityRoutinely Available
Commercial AvailabilityRoutinely Available
Commercial AvailabilityRoutinely Available
Commercial AvailabilityRoutinely Available
Commercial AvailabilityRoutinely Available
Bloom PeriodMid Spring
Bloom PeriodLate Spring
Bloom PeriodLate Spring
Bloom PeriodLate Spring
Bloom PeriodLate Spring
Bloom PeriodLate Spring
Propagated by CuttingsNo
Fruit/Seed PersistenceNo
Fruit/Seed Period EndSummer
Propagated by CormNo
Propagated by CormNo
Propagated by CormNo
Propagated by CormNo
Propagated by CormNo
Propagated by ContainerNo
Propagated by ContainerNo
Propagated by ContainerNo
Propagated by ContainerNo
Propagated by ContainerNo
Propagated by ContainerNo
Propagated by BulbNo
Propagated by BulbNo
Propagated by BulbNo
Propagated by BulbNo
Fruit/Seed PersistenceNo
Fruit/Seed PersistenceNo
Fruit/Seed PersistenceNo
Fruit/Seed PersistenceNo
Propagated by Bare RootNo
Propagated by Bare RootNo
Propagated by Bare RootNo
Propagated by Bare RootNo
Propagated by Bare RootNo
Propagated by Bare RootNo
Propagated by BulbNo
Propagated by BulbNo


Suitability/Use

Post ProductNo
Post ProductNo
Post ProductNo
Post ProductNo
Palatable HumanNo
Palatable HumanNo
Palatable HumanNo
Palatable HumanNo
Palatable HumanNo
Palatable HumanNo
Palatable Graze AnimalMedium
Palatable Graze AnimalMedium
Palatable Graze AnimalMedium
Palatable Graze AnimalMedium
Palatable Graze AnimalHigh
Palatable Graze AnimalHigh
Palatable Browse AnimalLow
Palatable Browse AnimalLow
Palatable Browse AnimalLow
Pulpwood ProductNo
Veneer ProductNo
Veneer ProductNo
Veneer ProductNo
Veneer ProductNo
Veneer ProductNo
Veneer ProductNo
Pulpwood ProductNo
Pulpwood ProductNo
Pulpwood ProductNo
Post ProductNo
Pulpwood ProductNo
Pulpwood ProductNo
Protein PotentialMedium
Protein PotentialMedium
Protein PotentialMedium
Protein PotentialMedium
Protein PotentialMedium
Protein PotentialLow
Post ProductNo
Christmas Tree ProductNo
Lumber ProductNo
Fodder ProductYes
Fodder ProductYes
Fodder ProductYes
Fodder ProductYes
Fodder ProductYes
Fodder ProductYes
Christmas Tree ProductNo
Christmas Tree ProductNo
Lumber ProductNo
Christmas Tree ProductNo
Christmas Tree ProductNo
Christmas Tree ProductNo
Berry/Nut/Seed ProductNo
Berry/Nut/Seed ProductNo
Berry/Nut/Seed ProductNo
Berry/Nut/Seed ProductNo
Berry/Nut/Seed ProductNo
Berry/Nut/Seed ProductNo
Naval Store ProductNo
Palatable Browse AnimalLow
Palatable Browse AnimalLow
Nursery Stock ProductNo
Nursery Stock ProductNo
Nursery Stock ProductNo
Nursery Stock ProductNo
Nursery Stock ProductNo
Nursery Stock ProductNo
Naval Store ProductNo
Palatable Browse AnimalLow
Naval Store ProductNo
Naval Store ProductNo
Naval Store ProductNo
Naval Store ProductNo
Lumber ProductNo
Lumber ProductNo
Lumber ProductNo
Lumber ProductNo

Weeping Lovegrass

Weeping Lovegrass

Weeping Lovegrass

Weeping Lovegrass

Weeping Lovegrass

Weeping Lovegrass

Weeping Lovegrass

Weeping Lovegrass

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