Heart-seed grass (Eragrostis superba, Sitzungsber. Kaiserl. Akad. Wiss., Wien, Math.-Naturwiss. Cl. 38: 584 (1860))

Family: Poaceae

Author: Peyr.

Bibliography: Sitzungsber. Kaiserl. Akad. Wiss., Wien, Math.-Naturwiss. Cl. 38: 584 (1860)

Year: 1860

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Eragrostis

Vegetable: False

Observations: Congo to Ethiopia and S. Africa

Description

Heart-seed grass, scientifically known as Eragrostis superba, is an intriguing and versatile species belonging to the Poaceae family. First described by Peyr. in the mid-19th century, its classification was formally published in the Sitzungsberichte der Kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften, Wien, Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Klasse, Volume 38, page 584, in the year 1860.

Native to a broad stretch of the African continent, Heart-seed grass spans a geographical range from the Congo through to Ethiopia and extends down to Southern Africa. This wide distribution indicates its adaptability to various environmental conditions found across these regions.

As the common name suggests, the seeds of this grass bear a distinct heart-like shape, which is a defining characteristic and likely responsible for its popular nomenclature. The plant typically thrives in open areas and is often found in grasslands or savannas, where it plays an essential role in the ecosystem.

Heart-seed grass contributes significantly to the biodiversity of its habitats, providing food and cover for numerous species of wildlife. Due to its robustness and resilience, it also serves as an important forage grass for domesticated animals across the regions it inhabits. In addition, its presence in natural landscapes helps prevent soil erosion, maintaining the quality and stability of the ground.

In conclusion, Eragrostis superba or Heart-seed grass, is not only noted for its distinctive heart-shaped seeds but also for its environmental adaptability and ecological importance across diverse African landscapes. Its initial recognition and documentation by Peyr. have cemented its place within the scientific community, highlighting its continued relevance over a century and a half later.

Common Names

Deu: herzstraubgras
Eng: wilman love grass, wilman lovegrass, heart-seed grass, sawtooth love grass
Spa: pasto avena
Afr: weeluiseragrostis
En: Heart-seed grass, Sawtooth love grass, Wilman love grass, Wilman lovegrass, Saw-tooth love grass, Wilman’s lovegrass
Af: Weeluiseragrostis, Weeluisgras
De: Herzstraubgras, Herzstraußgras
Pt-br: Capim-Massai
Es: Pasto avena, Zacate garrapata

Synonyms

• Eragrostis alata (Ficalho & Hiern)
• Eragrostis superba var. contracta (Peter)
• Eragrostis platystachys (Franch.)
• Eragrostis elata (Munro ex Ficalho & Hiern)
• Uniola jardinii (Steud.)

Distribution

• Angola (native)
• Botswana (native)
• Cape Provinces (native)
• Caprivi Strip (native)
• Congo (native)
• Eritrea (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• Free State (native)
• Gabon (native)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (native)
• Kenya (native)
• KwaZulu-Natal (native)
• Malawi (native)
• Mozambique (native)
• Namibia (native)
• Northern Provinces (native)
• Somalia (native)
• Sudan (native)
• Swaziland (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Uganda (native)
• Zambia (native)
• Zaïre (native)
• Zimbabwe (native)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Arizona (introduced)
• Benin (introduced)
• Bolivia (introduced)
• Burkina (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• French Guiana (introduced)
• Guyana (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Honduras (introduced)
• Mexico Central (introduced)
• Mexico Northeast (introduced)
• Mexico Northwest (introduced)
• Mexico Southwest (introduced)
• New Mexico (introduced)
• Pakistan (introduced)
• Saudi Arabia (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Uruguay (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.

Other

Taken Jan 1, 2019 by susan brown (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 29, 2019 by susan brown (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 29, 2020 by bimbi bimbi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 12, 2019 by susan brown (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 16, 2021 by av br y fac (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Bart Wursten (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 29, 2020 by bimbi bimbi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 18, 2014 by EOL − Linda Jo Conn (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Petra Ballings (cc-by-nc)

Taken Nov 16, 2021 by av br y fac (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken May 29, 2021 by Kimata Victoria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2021 by Eunice Kamau (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 27, 2021 by emily wabuyele (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 28, 2021 by Leigh Winowiecki (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2022 by D Sz (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Aug 7, 2022 by jonathan marchal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 1, 2021 by Kimata Victoria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 1, 2021 by Kimata Victoria (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 29, 2021 by Kimata Victoria (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2022 by James Mwago (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Dec 17, 2014 by EOL − Sam Kieschnick (cc-by-nc)

Taken May 10, 2015 by EOL − timarcus (cc-by-nc)

Taken May 31, 2015 by EOL − Sam Kieschnick (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Petra Ballings (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Petra Ballings (cc-by-nc)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2705445)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:401614-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Eragrostis superba Peyr.)

Specifications

Growth form>: Bunch

Growth habit>: Graminoid

Growth rate>: Rapid

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.0

Ph minimum: 5.0