African love grass (Eragrostis curvula, Fl. Afr. Austral. Ill.: 397 (1841))

Family: Poaceae

Author: (Schrad.) Nees

Bibliography: Fl. Afr. Austral. Ill.: 397 (1841)

Year: 1841

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Eragrostis

Vegetable: False

Observations: Cameroon to Eritrea and S. Africa

Description

African love grass, scientifically known as Eragrostis curvula, is a notable species of grass that belongs to the Poaceae family. This grass was first documented in “Flora of Africa and Australia” in 1841, reflecting its long-standing recognition in botanical literature. Authored by (Schrad.) Nees, African love grass has been a subject of study and admiration for its unique properties and distributions.

Eragrostis curvula is predominantly found across diverse regions in Africa, spanning from Cameroon in the west to Eritrea in the northeast and extending down to the southern reaches of the continent. This wide geographical range indicates the grass’s adaptability to various climatic and soil conditions, making it a resilient species within its native habitat.

African love grass is characterized by its tufted growth form, which often contributes to soil stabilization and erosion control in the landscapes where it thrives. The plant’s robust nature and ability to spread efficiently are traits that underscore its ecological significance. As a member of the Poaceae family, Eragrostis curvula plays a critical role in the ecosystems it inhabits, providing forage for livestock and serving as a habitat for various wildlife species.

The grass’s inflorescence, typically featuring delicate and fine-textured spikelets, adds a distinctive aesthetic value to the natural scenery. Moreover, its capacity to flourish in challenging environments makes it a valuable species for land restoration projects and sustainable agriculture practices.

Overall, African love grass is an important plant species both ecologically and economically. Its resilience and adaptability have made it a key subject of research and conservation efforts within its native range and beyond. The historical documentation and study of Eragrostis curvula by (Schrad.) Nees highlight the enduring interest and significance of this versatile grass in the botanical community.

Common Names

Eng: african love-grass, african love grass, boer love grass, weeping lovegrass, weeping love grass
Deu: gebogenblättriges liebesgras, schwachgekrümmtes liebesgras
Ita: panicella, eragrostide curvula
Swe: afrikanskt kärleksgräs
Por: capim-chorão
Afr: oulandsgras
Spa: pasto llorón
Fra: éragrostide un peu courbée, éragrostis un peu courbé
Nld: zuid-afrikaans liefdegras
Cym: serchwellt
En: African love grass, Boer love grass, Weeping love grass, Weeping lovegrass, African lovegrass, Catalina Lovegrass, Curved Lovegrass, African Love-grass
Af: Oulandsgras, Growwevleigras
Ar: أثب منحني
Zh: Wan ye hua mei cao, 垂愛草, 弯叶画眉草
Nl: Zuid-Afrikaans liefdegras
Fi: Kaartoröllinurmikka
Fr: Éragrostide un peu courbée, Éragrostis un peu courbé, Éragrostide
De: Überhängendes Liebesgras, Gebogenes Liebesgras, Gekrümmtes Liebesgras, Schwachgekrümmtes Liebesgras, Gebogenblättriges Liebesgras
It: Eragrostide curvula, Panicella
Pt: Capim-chorão
Es: Pasto llorón, Zacate boer
Sv: Afrikanskt kärleksgräs
Zh-tw: 垂愛草
Cy: Serchwellt

Synonyms

• Poa atrovirens (Nees)
• Eragrostis curvula var. conferta (Nees)
• Eragrostis capillifolia (Nees)
• Poa curvula (Schrad.)
• Eragrostis chloromelas (Steud.)
• Eragrostis pubiculmis (Jedwabn.)
• Eragrostis jeffreysii (Hack.)
• Eragrostis huillensis (Rendle)
• Eragrostis subulata (Nees)
• Eragrostis curvula var. valida (Stapf)
• Eragrostis curvula var. decolorans (Rendle)
• Eragrostis robusta (Stent)
• Eragrostis procerior (Rendle)
• Eragrostis thunbergiana var. atrata (Schweinf.)
• Eragrostis poa (Stapf)
• Eragrostis thunbergiana (Steud.)
• Eragrostis curvula var. atrata ((Schweinf.) Cufod.)
• Eragrostis lehmanniana var. ampla (Stapf)
• Poa capensis (Steud.)

Distribution

• Angola (native)
• Botswana (native)
• Burundi (native)
• Cameroon (native)
• Cape Provinces (native)
• Eritrea (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• Free State (native)
• Kenya (native)
• KwaZulu-Natal (native)
• Lesotho (native)
• Malawi (native)
• Mozambique (native)
• Namibia (native)
• Northern Provinces (native)
• Swaziland (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Zambia (native)
• Zaïre (native)
• Zimbabwe (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Argentina Northwest (introduced)
• Arizona (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• Austria (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Bolivia (introduced)
• Brazil North (introduced)
• Brazil Northeast (introduced)
• Brazil South (introduced)
• Brazil Southeast (introduced)
• Brazil West-Central (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Cayman Is. (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• Chile South (introduced)
• China South-Central (introduced)
• China Southeast (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Costa Rica (introduced)
• Cyprus (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Greece (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Honduras (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Iran (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• Kansas (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Korea (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Madagascar (introduced)
• Madeira (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Mexico Central (introduced)
• Mexico Northeast (introduced)
• Mexico Northwest (introduced)
• Mexico Southwest (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Morocco (introduced)
• Myanmar (introduced)
• New Guinea (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New Mexico (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Northern Territory (introduced)
• Ogasawara-shoto (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Oklahoma (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pakistan (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Philippines (introduced)
• Portugal (introduced)
• Puerto Rico (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• Saudi Arabia (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• St.Helena (introduced)
• Switzerland (introduced)
• Taiwan (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Transcaucasus (introduced)
• Turkey (introduced)
• Uruguay (introduced)
• Utah (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• West Himalaya (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)
• Xinjiang (introduced)
• Yemen (introduced)
• Yugoslavia (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Habit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − This image is not copyrighted and may be freely used for any purpose. Please credit the artist, original publication if applicable, and the USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database. The following format is suggested and will be appreciated: USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database If you cite PLANTS in a bibliog (public)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − This image is not copyrighted and may be freely used for any purpose. Please credit the artist, original publication if applicable, and the USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database. The following format is suggested and will be appreciated: USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database If you cite PLANTS in a bibliog (public)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Forest & Kim Starr (cc-by)

Taken Oct 20, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 1, 2022 by Teresa Rodríguez (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Mar 21, 2009 by EOL − John Tann (cc-by)

Taken Jul 15, 2018 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Oct 20, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 12, 2021 by Richard Wilkens (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 9, 2020 by Diego Alex (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 9, 2020 by Diego Alex (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2022 by Timon Verboom (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 9, 2020 by Diego Alex (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 16, 2019 by Ismael Pizarro Muñoz (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 13, 2019 by santos catarina (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2705378)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1169955-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees)

Specifications

Growth form: Bunch

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth rate: Rapid

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.5

Ph minimum: 4.5