Eragrostis superba

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Eragrostis superba Peyr.

Family: Poaceae

Common names: saw-tooth love grass, flat-seed love grass (Eng.); bosluissaadgras (Afr.)

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Introduction

Spikelets

The large, flat, attractive spikelets on inflorescences that occur well above the basal tuft of leaves make this one of the easiest Eragrostis species in our region to identify.

Inflorescence

Description

Perennial up to 1 m tall, erect or lower culms (stems) bent; inflorescence variable as it is either a contracted (narrow) or open panicle, when open, then branches long and flexuous. The common names are very descriptive of the spikelets which are large, being up to 16 mm long, flat, have jagged edges, green, often flushed purple and when mature, break off as a complete unit. Flowering time is from August to May.

Distribution and habitat

Distribution description

This grass is found from the Free State and Kwazulu-Natal northwards to the Sudan usually on sandy or gravel soils occasionally on clay. Found mainly in disturbed places in the veld and roadsides, also grows on termitaria. It has been introduced to India, Australia and the USA.

Derivation of name and historical aspects

History

Eragrostis comes from the Greek eros meaning love and this possibly refers to the heart-shaped spikelets; agrostis means a grass. The species name superba is the Latin for splendid and is probably descriptive of the spikelets.

Eragrostis is a cosmopolitan genus occurring mainly in the tropics and subtropics with ± 350 species of which about 90 occur in southern Africa.

Eragrostis superba

Uses

Use

E. superba is a palatable grass especially in spring and is fairly drought-resistant and because of this has been cultivated as a pasture in some countries. As it grows in disturbed places, it has been used in erosion control and re-vegetation projects. The attractive inflorescence could be used in flower arranging.

Growing Eragrostis superba

Grow

This grass should grow well in an indigenous or wild corner of a garden. Since it has been used as pasture or for erosion control, seeds should be available commercially. As with most perennial grasses it is advisable to cut the plants short at the end of the growing season.

References

Gibbs Russell, G.E., Watson, L., Koekemoer, M., Smook, L., Barker, N.P., Anderson, H.M. & Dallwitz, M.J. 1991. Grasses of southern Africa. Memoirs of the Botanical Survey of South Africa No. 58.
Chippindall, L.K.A. & Crook, A.O. 1976. 240 grasses of southern Africa, part 175. Collins, Salisbury.
Van Oudtshoorn, F. 1999. A guide to the grasses of southern Africa. Briza Publications, Pretoria.

Credits

Lyn Fish
National Herbarium,
Pretoria

Plant Attributes:

Plant Type: Grass

SA Distribution: Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, Northern Cape

Soil type:

Flowering season: Late Summer

PH:

Flower colour: Green

Aspect: Full Sun

Gardening skill: Average

Special Features:

Drought resistant

Useful plant

Eragrostis superba