Lehmann lovegrass

Common Name(s)

Lehmann lovegrass

African lovegrass

Scientific Name

Eragrostis lehmanniana

Family

Grass family (Poaceae)

Reasons for concern

Lehmann lovegrass grows and reproduces quickly. It grows to form dense mats, which make it near impossible for other native species to grow, decreasing native biodiversity to the point of monoculture. Its high volume dry growth is better fuel for fires than native grasses, which increases the intensity and frequency of these dangerous fires. Ehmann lovegrass then recovers quicker after disturbance than other plants, which furthers the cycle of fires.

Classification

Non-native

Botanical description

Erect or ascending bunchgrass

Leaves

Smooth to slightly rough linear blades

Stem(s)

Wiry, upwards of 2 feet tall, grow from a slightly open bunch, mostly erect with some stems lying along the ground

Inflorescence

3-7 inch long ½-3 inches wide arrow shaped cluster of smaller branches with 3-7 spikelet florets that are yellow at maturity

Roots

Form at the nodes of stems that lay along the ground

Native to

Southern Africa

Where it grows

Disturbed areas, sandy soils, along washes and roadsides, up to 6,000 ft elevation.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Reproduction

Seed, vegetative by rooting at the nodes (stolons)

Weedy Characteristics

Lehmann lovegrass prolifically produces seed and can do so when it's only a few inches tall. These seeds travel large distances by wind, water, animals, or people and can remain dormant in long, dry periods. In ideal conditions, germination rate can be 90%. Lehmann lovegrass grows and spreads quickly.

Look-alike Plants

Plains lovegrass (Eragrostis intermedia) can be distinguished by having a larger, broader pyramidal inflorescence with smaller individual spikelets. They are sometimes more purple tinged than Lehmann lovegrass.

Control Strategies

Hand pulling is most effective when soil is damp. Glyphosate, imazapyr, and sethoxydim herbicides are effective. Glyphosate must be applied when the plant is green. Herbicides are more effective when used after mowing. For all treatments, follow up is necessary.

Gallery

References