Purple Lovegrass
Eragrostis spectabilis
Species Identification
Information needed to identify the plant in the field
Native-MIFlora:
Native
Duration:
perennial
Height:
1'-2'
Stature:
Knee
Bloom Color:
Green
Compact Bloom Range:
JUL - AUG
Light:
Sn
Moisture:
D, M
Michigan Flora Description:
Dry fields, sand barrens, roadsides, and railroads; often a very conspicuous plant of roadsides and dry open ground, forming large colonies. Apparently native in the southern part of Michigan, and probably Menominee Co., but spreading northward especially along sandy roadsides. The large purplish inflorescences become detached and act as tumbleweeds.
Germination Ecology / Real-World Behavior:(ⓘ Prompt)
Purple love grass disperses seeds naturally through a tumbling mechanism. The large purplish seed clusters (inflorescences) detach from the plant when mature and act as tumbleweeds, rolling across the landscape to scatter seeds. This grass forms large colonies in dry, sandy areas like roadsides and open fields, suggesting the seeds germinate readily in disturbed, well-drained soils without complex dormancy requirements.
Purple love grass is a warm-season (C4) grass that grows actively during summer when soil temperatures are warm, with most vegetative growth occurring in hot weather. Seeds germinate without overwintering requirements and can establish the same year if planted in spring or early summer. The species spreads both by rhizomes and by seed dispersal, forming colonies in sandy, well-drained sites. It thrives in harsh conditions including drought, road salt exposure, and even areas under black walnut trees where other plants fail.
Based on genus patterns: Seeds typically disperse in late fall through winter after caryopses drop from dried panicles. Based on family patterns: Grass seeds in this group often exhibit physiological dormancy requiring winter chilling, with germination occurring primarily in spring when soil temperatures warm and moisture is adequate. Based on species patterns: Purple lovegrass seeds generally require a period of cold-moist stratification to break dormancy, with natural germination occurring in late spring to early summer when conditions favor warm-season grass establishment.
Habitat Notes:(ⓘ Prompt)
Purple love grass thrives in dry, sandy locations including roadsides, railroads, sand barrens, and dry open fields throughout Michigan. It forms large, conspicuous colonies that are especially noticeable along sandy roadsides. The plant has developed a remarkable dispersal strategy—its large, purplish flower clusters (inflorescences) break away from the parent plant when mature and roll across the landscape as tumbleweeds. This tumbleweed mechanism allows the seeds to scatter widely as the detached seed heads bounce and roll with the wind, distributing seeds over considerable distances before finally coming to rest in suitable sandy, dry locations.
Based on species patterns: Eragrostis spectabilis typically grows in sandy, well-drained soils including prairies, open woodlands, and disturbed sites. Based on genus patterns: This grass forms distinctive clumps and tolerates drought conditions well once established. Based on species patterns: The seeds are produced in large, showy panicles that create a purple-tinged cloud effect in late summer to fall. Based on general practice: Seeds disperse primarily by wind when the entire panicle breaks away and tumbles, scattering small seeds as it moves across the landscape.
BONAP Range Map:
SE Michigan Monthly Observations:
Previously Known As:
Eragrostis geyeri, Eragrostis pectinacea, Eragrostis velutina, Erochloe spectabilis, Erochloe spectabilis, Megastachya spectabilis, Poa amabilis, Poa pectinacea, Poa pectinacea, Poa spectabilis, Poa villosa, Poa villosa
Common Names:
purple lovegrass, tumblegrass, petticoat climbers
Coefficient of Conservatism (C):
3.0
— Adaptable
This plant can grow in many different settings, including areas that have been somewhat changed by human activity.
Explained
Coefficient of Wetness (CW):
5.0
— Needs dry ground
This plant almost never grows in wetlands. It needs well-drained soil and can rot in soggy conditions.
Explained
Similar Species / Distinguishing Features:(ⓘ Prompt)
• Native — Eragrostis capillaris (lacey lovegrass): annual with fibrous roots, smaller spikelets with only 2-5 florets, and a more delicate appearance (vs. E. spectabilis, perennial with rhizomes and 6-12 florets per spikelet).
• Non-native — Digitaria cognata (fall witchgrass): also forms purple tumbling seed heads, but has branching stems with leaves throughout, single florets per spikelet, and jagged-edged ligules (vs. E. spectabilis with mostly basal leaves, unbranched stems, multiple florets per spikelet, and hairy ligules).
• Non-native — Panicum capillare (witchgrass): annual tumbleweed grass that is much larger and stouter, densely hairy throughout with cornstalk-like leaves and single florets per spikelet (vs. E. spectabilis smaller, less hairy, with multiple florets per spikelet).
• Non-native — Digitaria cognata (fall witchgrass): also forms purple tumbling seed heads, but has branching stems with leaves throughout, single florets per spikelet, and jagged-edged ligules (vs. E. spectabilis with mostly basal leaves, unbranched stems, multiple florets per spikelet, and hairy ligules).
• Non-native — Panicum capillare (witchgrass): annual tumbleweed grass that is much larger and stouter, densely hairy throughout with cornstalk-like leaves and single florets per spikelet (vs. E. spectabilis smaller, less hairy, with multiple florets per spikelet).
• Based on genus patterns: Other Eragrostis species like E. pectinacea (Carolina lovegrass) and E. capillaris (lacegrass) share similar delicate panicle structure but typically have smaller, less showy inflorescences and different growth habits. Based on family patterns: Other native Poaceae like Sporobolus heterolepis (prairie dropseed) may appear similar when not in flower but dropseed has different seed head architecture and aromatic foliage.
• Non-native — E. curvula (weeping lovegrass) is larger with more persistent, drooping panicles and forms denser clumps.
• Invasive — E. lehmanniana (Lehmann lovegrass) where present forms dense mats and has different panicle branching patterns, though this species is primarily southwestern US.
• Non-native — E. curvula (weeping lovegrass) is larger with more persistent, drooping panicles and forms denser clumps.
• Invasive — E. lehmanniana (Lehmann lovegrass) where present forms dense mats and has different panicle branching patterns, though this species is primarily southwestern US.
Wikipedia Summary:
Eragrostis is a large and widespread genus of plants in the grass family, found in many countries on all inhabited continents and many islands.