Tall ehrharta (Ehrharta longiflora, Pl. Icon. Ined.: t. 32 (1789))

Family: Poaceae

Author: Sm.

Bibliography: Pl. Icon. Ined.: t. 32 (1789)

Year: 1789

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Ehrharta

Vegetable: False

Observations: Namibia to Cape Prov.

Description

Tall Ehrharta, scientifically known as Ehrharta longiflora, is an intriguing plant species belonging to the Poaceae family. This grass is distinguished by its graceful, elongated inflorescence, which contributes to the origin of its name. Its growth habit and elegant form make it particularly recognizable among other grass species.

Ehrharta longiflora thrives in the regions stretching from Namibia to the Cape Province. This geographical range highlights the plant’s adaptability to diverse environmental conditions, typical of Southern Africa’s varied landscapes. Its presence in these regions also emphasizes its resilience and capability to grow in both arid and semi-arid climates, which are characteristic of these areas.

First documented in 1789, Tall Ehrharta was notably described in the botanical work “Pl. Icon. Ined.: t. 32,” with its formal classification attributed to the botanist James Edward Smith, denoted by the author abbreviation “Sm.” This historical documentation underlines the plant’s longstanding recognition and the importance of its identification in the study of botany.

Knowing the ecological range and historical context of Ehrharta longiflora is essential for botanists, ecologists, and those interested in grass species. Its role within its native ecosystem, potential uses in landscaping, and significance in the study of Poaceae family dynamics, all make Tall Ehrharta a species worth understanding and preserving.

In summary, Ehrharta longiflora stands out not just for its physical characteristics, but also for its historical and ecological significance, representing a notable member of Southern Africa’s rich botanical diversity.

Common Names

Eng: longflowered veldtgrass, annual veldt grass, tall ehrharta, annual veldtgrass
En: Tall ehrharta, Annual veldt grass, Longflowered veldtgrass, Annual Veldtgrass
Fi: Kiilanyppyheinä

Synonyms

• Ehrharta aristata (Thunb.)
• Ehrharta eckloniana (Schrad. ex Schult. & Schult.f.)
• Ehrharta urvilleana (Kunth)
• Trochera longiseta ((Schrad.) Kuntze)
• Ehrharta longiflora var. longiseta ((Schrad.) Nees)
• Trochera longiflora ((Sm.) Kuntze)
• Ehrharta longiflora var. eckloniana ((Schrad. ex Schult. & Schult.f.) Nees)
• Ehrharta longiflora var. urvilleana ((Kunth) Nees)
• Trochera eckloniana ((Schrad. ex Schult. & Schult.f.) Kuntze)
• Ehrharta longiseta (Schrad.)
• Ehrharta banksii (J.F.Gmel.)

Distribution

• Cape Provinces (native)
• Namibia (native)
• California (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Cape Verde (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• St.Helena (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)

Additional Images

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

Flower

Taken Aug 26, 2019 by that’s someguy (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2702862)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:399860-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Ehrharta longiflora Sm.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Graminoid

Growth