Family: Poaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Eragrostis curvula, commonly known as African lovegrass or weeping lovegrass, is a perennial bunchgrass native to southern Africa. It forms dense tussocks with narrow, arching leaves and delicate, open seed heads that give the plant a graceful, weeping appearance. Typically growing 30–120 cm tall, it is highly tolerant of drought, poor soils, and a wide range of environmental conditions. Because of its hardiness, African lovegrass has been widely introduced around the world for pasture improvement, erosion control, and roadside stabilization, and it has also been planted as an ornamental grass. In Hawaiʻi, this species has become naturalized on several islands, including Oʻahu, Maui, and Hawaiʻi Island, with additional reports suggesting it may be spreading on Lānaʻi and Kahoʻolawe.

Risks & Threats
African lovegrass is naturalized in the Hawaiian Islands and possesses traits that are cause for concern in tropical island ecosystems. The species produces abundant seeds and establishes quickly in disturbed areas such as roadsides, pastures, and open landscapes. Once established, it can form dense stands that crowd out native vegetation and reduce plant diversity. Its high seed production, tolerance of drought and poor soils, and ability to spread along transportation corridors or via animals and machinery allow it to expand rapidly into new areas. Dense infestations may also alter habitat structure and increase fire risk by creating large accumulations of dry grass. Because of these characteristics, African lovegrass has the potential to detrimentally impact tropical island ecosystems by displacing native species and changing natural plant communities if left unmanaged.

High Risk Traits:

• Elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating environmental versatility
  
• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Naturalized on Maui, Oahu and Kahoolawe and widely naturalized elsewhere
  
• A disturbance-adapted grass
  
• A weed of pastures and potentially of certain crops
  
• An environmental weed in Australia and Japan
  
• Other Eragrostis species are highly invasive
  
• Palatability to animals decreases with age
  
• Potentially allelopathic
  
• Pollen allergenic to susceptible individuals
  
• Increases fire risk in invaded ecosystems
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Capable of forming dense monocultures in invaded areas
  
• Reproduces by seed
  
• Reproduces apomictically
  
• Able to reach maturity in one growing season
  
• Seeds dispersed in mud, soil, contaminated agricultural produce. Also dispersed by wind, water, animals and vehicles
  
• Viable seed excreted by cattle
  
• Prolific seed production
  
• Forms a persistent seed bank
  
• Tolerates and resprouts after fire or cutting

Low Risk Traits:

• Certain cultivars may be less weedy
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
  
• Palatable to animals at early stages of growth
  
• Prefers open areas (tolerant of partial shade)
  
• Not reported to spread vegetatively
  
• Herbicides may provide effective control