keys to the vascular plants of east texas - Botanical Research ...

942 POACEAE/ERAGROSTIS
AL w to SD and TX. Apr–Nov. This species is sometimes (e.g., Nicora 1962; Gould 1975b; Kartesz
1999) segregated into the genus Neeragrostis [as N. reptans (Michx.) Nicora]. However, Koch (1978)
pointed out that the taxon is separated from Eragrostis only in being dioecious and concluded it is
best treated as a somewhat morphologically unusual Eragrostis.
Eragrostis secundiflora J. Presl subsp. oxylepis (Torr.) S.D. Koch, (sp.: with flowers on one side of
the stalk; subsp.: sharp-scaled), RED LOVE GRASS. Tufted perennial 15–90(–150) cm tall; inflorescences
usually small and compact, occasionally with 1 or 2 long branches, the branches either
with spikelets to the base or naked of spikelets at the base; spikelets subsessile, 5–15(–20) mm
long, usually 3–5 mm wide, strongly flattened, with 9–24(–29) florets, glaucous or blue-gray to
green, or brown-red; lemmas 2.2–4 mm long. Sandy woods or open ground, rarely in limestone
gravel; nearly throughout TX but more common in the e 1/2; e U.S. from SC s to FL w to NE and
NM, also CA. May–Nov. Koch (1978) and Peterson (2003a) indicated that subsp. secundiflora occurs
from South America n to Mexico. We are following Koch (1978) for synonymy of this
taxon. [E. beyrichii J.G. Sm., E. oxylepis (Torr.) Torr., E. oxylepis (Torr.) Torr. var. beyrichii (J.G.
Sm.) Shinners]
Eragrostis sessilispica Buckley, (with sessile spikelets), TUMBLE LOVE GRASS. Tufted perennial 30–
90 cm tall; inflorescences open, the main branches widely spreading, unrebranched, the sessile
spikelets widely spaced and borne to the very base of branch, the entire inflorescence becoming
loosely coiled and half prostrate, ultimately breaking off and acting as a tumbleweed;
spikelets 5–12.5 mm long, 2–3 mm wide, with 5–12 florets, straw-colored to tinged with purplish;
lemmas 3–5 mm long. Sandy prairies and oak openings; widespread in w part of East TX
from Austin and Brazos (Turner et al. 2003) cos. w; widespread in w 2/3 of TX; KS, NM, OK, and
TX. Apr–Sep.
Eragrostis spectabilis (Pursh) Steud., (spectacular), PURPLE LOVE GRASS, PETTICOAT-CLIMBER. Perennial
to 70(–85) cm tall, with base hardened and knotty, often with short rhizomes; inflorescences
very open, main branches naked of spikelets at the base; lateral spikelets on pedicels averaging
� 1 cm long; spikelets (4–)5–7 mm long, 1–2.5 mm wide, with 7–13 florets, reddish purple; lemmas
1.5–2.5 mm long. Sandy or disturbed sites; widespread in e 1/2 of TX and known from the
Panhandle; se Canada and throughout e U.S. w to ND and NM. Aug–Oct. [E. spectabilis var.
sparsihirsuta Farw.] This is a showy species sometimes used as an ornamental (Peterson 2003a).
Eragrostis superba Peyr., (superb), WILMANN’S LOVE GRASS, SAW-TOOTH LOVE GRASS. Perennial to
nearly 100 cm tall; inflorescences narrow, dense, with relatively few, large spikelets, the main
branches either with spikelets to base or naked of spikelets at the base; spikelets ca. (6–)10–16
mm long, 3–10 mm wide, conspicuously flattened, usually with ca. 15 florets, showy, disarticulating
below the glumes, each spikelet falling as an intact unit; lemmas 3–5 mm long, strongly
keeled. Drought resistant species planted as a range grass and for erosion control and revegetation,
also persisting, and escaping; Bastrop (Turner et al. 2003) and Walker (E. Keith, pers.
comm., SBSC) cos.; also Parker (R. O’Kennon, pers. obs.), Brewster, Gillespie, and Llano (Turner et
al. 2003) cos. to the w of East TX and cited for vegetational areas 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 by Hatch
(2002); sw U.S. from TX w to AZ. Spring–fall. Introduced from Africa (where it is grown for
hay). This species has exceptionally large, flattened spikelets and could be considered ornamental;
the size of the spikelets also makes it a good candidate for teaching grass structure to
students. Peterson (2003a) noted that the common name SAW-TOOTH LOVE GRASS appropriately
describes the leaf blades. I
Eragrostis trichodes (Nutt.) A.W. Wood, (hair-like), SAND LOVE GRASS, THREAD LOVE GRASS.
Tufted perennial; culms (30–)60–160 cm tall; inflorescences very open, the main branches naked
of spikelets at the base; spikelets 4–10(–15) mm long, 1.5–3(–4) mm wide, usually with 4–10
florets (rarely more); lemmas 2.4–3.8 mm long, with reddish-tinged splotches. Sandy prairies;