Here are some Lovegrasses, mainly from the Eragrostis genus, found in southern Africa (some exported to other countries), along with their agricultural / ecological significance (from: Guide to Grasses of southern Africa. van Oudtshoorn, 2012, Briza Press).
Weeping, Tough, Sticky, Dew, Woolly, Superb - their very names speak of the wonders, the mysteries, the heart-worthy travails of love.
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| Eragrostis capensis - Heart-seed Lovegrass |
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| Eragrostis superba- Saw-tooth Lovegrass |
Small to
medium palatable grass on disturbed soil.
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| Eragrostis ciliaris - Woolly Lovegrass |
Small to
medium grass on disturbed soil. Weed in gardens and cultivated lands.
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| Eragrostis nindensis - Wether Lovegrass |
Short,
palatable grass on disturbed soil. Resurrects after rain.
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| Eragrostis racemosa - Narrow Heart Lovegrass |
Small,
palatable grass on shallow soil.
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| Eragrostis plana - Tough Lovegrass |
Medium,
generally unpalatable grass on disturbed areas and trampled soil. Used for
crafts.
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| Eragrostis viscosa - Stickly Lovegrass |
Small,
unpalatable grass, on disturbed soil and roadsides.
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| Eragrostis gummiflua - Gum Lovegrass |
Medium,
unpalatable grass on damp soil. Stickly glands on leaf sheaths.
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| Eragrostis curvula - Weeping Lovegrass |
Medium to
tall palatable, productive hay and grazing grass.
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| Eragrostis inamoena – Tite Lovegrass |
Medium
grass in wet areas. Stabilises soil in drainage areas.
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| Eragrostis bicolor - Vlei Lovegrass |
Small,
palatable grass growing in water, moist soils and pans.
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| Eragrostis obtusa - Dew Lovegrass |
Small grass
on disturbed soil. Indicator of past overgrazing.
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| Eragrostis cilianensis – Stink Lovegrass |
Small,
unpalatable, odorous grass on disturbed soils and in gardens.
And these are not Eragrostis species but certainly belong here.
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| Briza maxima - Large Quaking Grass |
Small,
sparse annual grass in disturbed areas and gardens. Ornamental.
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| Briza minor - Little Quaking Grass |
Small
annual grass on damp, disturbed soil.
