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Strickland, Sam C.
Eragrostis intermedia
Eragrostis intermedia Hitchc.
Plains Lovegrass, Plains Love Grass
Poaceae (Grass Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: erin
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
An 1-3+ ft., tufted, perennial bunchgrass with long, narrow leaf blades. The stout, erect flowering culm supports a seed head nearly half as long as the entire plant. The airy seed head is diffusely branched with many small spikelets.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Grass/Grass-like
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Fruit Type: Caryopsis
Size Notes: Up to about 3-1/2 feet tall.
Leaf: Green
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Pink , PurpleBloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , AZ , CA , FL , GA , KS , MA , MO , MS , NC , NM , OK , SC , TN , TX , VANative Distribution: GA; LA & MO to KS & AZ, s. to Central America
Native Habitat: Dry or sandy slopes & plains, Found throughout Texas except in easternmost part. Sand, clay, rocky soils, often disturbed.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Deep, well-drained soils. Desturbed, Rocky, Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay.
Conditions Comments: Plains lovegrass is an attractive mid-sized grass for meadow gardens or garden accents. The seedheads appear delicate because the spikelets are spread out along the panicle; it has a light texture and is somewhat transparent. Warm season. Drought tolerant.
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yesInteresting Foliage: yes
Deer Resistant: High
Value to Beneficial Insects
Provides Nesting Materials/Structure for Native BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Propagation
Description: Propagate by seed.Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
Mr. Smarty Plants says
Plants to stop erosion in Arizona
January 17, 2009
I'm looking for a plant to stop erosion; I have big wash outs that are starting to erode my yard so I guess I'm looking for deep rooting plants. I live south of Tucson, Arizona. If you can advise me...
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Erosion control plants for steep slope in Austin, TX
April 09, 2007
I'm interested in finding native plants, either perennials or grasses, that would help control erosion on a fairly steep slope. These plants would be in a park, and volunteers will be watering the pl...
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From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Patsy Glenn Refuge, c/o Wimberley Birding Society - Wimberley, TX
Texas Master Naturalists - Lost Pines Chapter - Bastrop, TX
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Jacob's Well Natural Area - Wimberley, TX
Herbarium Specimen(s)
NPSOT 0294B Collected Sept. 7, 1992 in Kendall County by Kristina CoatesNPSOT 0294A Collected Sept. 1992 in Kendall County by Kristina Coates
NPSOT 0985 Collected Nov 9, 1994 in Bexar County by Mike Fox
Wildflower Center Seed Bank
LBJWC-165 Collected 2007-10-14 in Travis County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower CenterBibliography
Bibref 291 - Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. BenderSearch More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Additional resources
USDA: Find Eragrostis intermedia in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Eragrostis intermedia in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Eragrostis intermedia
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-01-25Research By: TWC Staff