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Weeping Love Grass (Eragrostis curvula): Cascading Foliage for Erosion Control

Overview

Weeping Love Grass (African Lovegrass) is a warm-season, perennial bunchgrass native to southern Africa. It forms a large, dense, fountain-like clump of very long, narrow, arching leaves that "weep" to the ground, 3-4 feet tall. The seed heads are open panicles on tall stems. Widely planted for erosion control on highways and slopes.

Taxonomy & Nomenclature

Family:	Poaceae (poh-AY-see-ee)
Genus:	Eragrostis (er-uh-GROS-tis)
Species:	curvula (kur-vew-la)

Synonym: Poa curvula.

Cultivation & Uses

Full sun; well-drained soil. Extremely drought-tolerant. Used for pasture, hay, and erosion control. Can be invasive in some regions (check local status). The weeping foliage is ornamental. Cut back in late winter. Provides seed for birds.

Grasses and Bamboo: Pampas Grass (Cortaderia selloana); Palm Grass (Setaria palmifolia); Indian Grass (Sorghastrum nutans); Tiger Grass (Thysanolaena latifolia): A Tropical, Bamboo-Like Grass for Foliage Effect; Centipede Grass (Eremochloa ophiuroides): A Low-Maintenance, Acid-Loving Lawn Grass; Egyptian Grass (Dactyloctenium aegyptium): A Spreading Annual Grass with Crowfoot Seed Heads; Buffalo Grass (Buchloe dactyloides): Synonym of Bouteloua dactyloides; Purple Love Grass (Eragrostis spectabilis): Cloud of Purple Haze in Late Summer; Sand Lovegrass (Eragrostis trichodes): Airy Native Grass for Dry Sands; Bear Grass (Xerophyllum tenax): Iconic Western Native for Fire-Adapted Landscapes

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