Arizona Range Grasses
Their Description, Forage Value, and Grazing Management
Cooperative Extension,College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, The University of Arizona

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WEEPING LOVEGRASS
Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees. var. curvula

Description

Growth habit: A vigorous-growing perennial bunchgrass with abundant leaves coming from a coarse, dense, basal crown. When moisture is adequate, plants reach a height of 2 to 5 feet.
Color: Light green.
Leaves: Twenty-four to 48 inches long, drooping, slender, tapering to fine hair-like brownish threads. Bases of the densely clustered young leaves are purplish; the leaf blades as a whole are light green. As they age they tend to become somewhat fibrous and tough.
Inflorescence: Eight to 12 inches long, open and somewhat drooping. Branches bearing the seedheads are tall and slender, occurring singly or in pairs. Flowers are small and numerous and produce minute seeds that number about 1 1/2 million per pound.
Season: Warm Season
Origin: Introduced

Figure 34.—Weeping lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula var. curvula). View Larger Image Click Here

Occurrence

Weeping lovegrass is an introduced species from South Africa and occurs in Arizona largely where seeded. It appears to be well adapted to areas where precipitation is 17 inches or more, but will probably not withstand temperatures that fall much lower than 10° F. below zero.

Forage Value

Weeping lovegrass has a reputation in its native Africa of being a good forage producer well liked by cattle. Arizona observations have shown that this grass is frequently preferred above many native grasses, particularly in the spring. On most Arizona ranges where it is adapted, it can be rated as a highly productive, moderately palatable species.

Grazing Management

When weeping lovegrass is not grazed, the coarse, rank growth is unattractive to grazing animals. Grazing, therefore, should be heavy enough to reduce residual material but deferment or rest should allow recovery. On burns reseeded to this grass grazing should be initiated the summer after seeding. This recommendation is made on the assumption that a satisfactory stand was established the season the area was seeded. These ranges may be moderately grazed from early spring to late fall without harm to the grass. As burned ranges where weeping lovegrass is adapted usually support a mixture of scrub oak and other shrubs, grazing about one year after the fire in this manner permits use of the abundant new growth on the shrubs. Erosion is not increased on most ranges under this kind of a grazing program where the stocking is moderate.

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Document located http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/natresources/az1272/
published 2002
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