Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Janet Bowers, Heartland Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

purple lovegrass

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Eragrostis spectabilis

Family:

Poaceae (Gramineae)

Plant Specifics

Form:

grass

Size:

2-4 ft tall by 2-3 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

NA

Fruit Color:

purple

Phenology:

Winter dormant. Forms dense clumps. Blooms in fall.

Noted For:

Showy Flowers, Showy Fruits

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Makes a good border plant that becomes a pink haze in the fall.

Considerations:

Availability:

Native Nurseries, FNPS Plant Sales, Seed

Propagation:

Seeds are available through the Florida Wildflowers Growers Cooperative.

Light:

Full Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Coming Soon!

Somewhat moist, no flooding ---to--- Short very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Soil pH:

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B,10A

Ecology

Wildlife:

Caterpillars, Birds, Mammals

Larval host for zabulon skipper ( Poanes zabulon ).

Birds and other wildlife consume seed. 

Native Habitats:

Flatwoods, sandhills, lake shores, disturbed sites.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments: