Common Name: African lovegrass, weeping lovegrass

Native Origin: South Africa

Description: A perennial in the grass family (Poaceae) which grows in clumps to a height of 2 to 6 feet. The stems are erect, stiff, and slender with dark green, very narrow, arching foliage, 1/16 to 1/8 inch wide. Leaf blades are rolled or flat and bristle-like. The inflorescence is an open panicle, lavender-gray color, arching, and 8 to 10 inches long. Flowers appear in mid to late summer. It reproduces by seed. The seed-stalks produce approximately 300 to 1,000 seeds per head. The large fibrous root system does not have rhizomes or stolons.



Habitat: This clump forming grass grows well in hot, dry locations in full sun and in most well drained soils. It thrives in sandy soils but tolerates clay soils. It is found in disturbed soils along roadside embankments, railway tracks, riverbanks and waste places, where it tends to invade adjacent degraded pastures. It is uncommon in forest habitats.

Distribution: This species is reported from states shaded on Plants Database map. It is considered invasive in AZ, MD, NC, NJ, TN, TX, UT, and VA.