Title: Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees

Scientific name:

Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees

Common name(s):

African lovegrass, weeping lovegrass



Source & more images (via ALA)

Habitat: Semi-arid subtropical grasslands and open scrublands, mainly on acid sands and light sandy loams (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992). It is found in disturbed soils along roadsides, railway tracks, riverbanks and waste places, from where it invades adjacent degraded pastures (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992). African lovegrass will invade heathland and heathy woodland, lowland grassland and grassy woodland and freshwater wetlands. (Carr et al., 1992).

Distribution:



Original source via GBIF


Invasiveness Assessment

ESTABLISHMENT


1. Germination requirements? "Seeds germinate in autumn or spring if sufficient moisture is available". (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992 p.107)

2. Establishment requirements? "Invasive in heathlands, woodlands. Would receive some shading in such ecosystems.

3. How much disturbance is required? "Invasive in heathlands, woodlands. Would receive some shading in such ecosystems. Forest, grasslands and riverine environments". (Muyt, 2001 p. 70)

GROWTH / COMPETITIVE


4. Life form? Perennial grass. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992 p.107)

5. Allelopathic properties? None reported.

6. Tolerates herb pressure? “Generally considered to be an unpalatable weed although in South Africa, Argentina and the United States some strains are looked on as valuable pasture grasses”. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992, p. 107)

7. Normal growth rate? “It is an aggressive, tenacious species capable of dominating the ground flora”. (Muyt, 2001 p. 70)

8. Stress tolerance to frost, drought, w/logg, sal. etc? Drought and frost tolerant. Occurs in freshwater wetland (seasonal). (Carr et al., 1992; Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992)

REPRODUCTION


9. Reproductive system? “Reproducing apomictically (without fertilisation) by seed”. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992. p. 108)

10. Number of propagules produced? “Ability to produce copious quantities of seed”. “Plants produce large quantities of seed”. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001; Muyt, 2001 p. 70)

11. Propagule longevity? ?

12. Reproductive period? Likely produces propagules > 3 years as a perennial spp.

13. Time to reproductive maturity? Germinates autumn/spring plants re sprout the following spring flowers in early summer. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992, p. 107)

DISPERSAL


14. Number of mechanisms? Wind, animals, humans, vehicles, etc. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992, p. 107)

15. How far do they disperse? “One of the most important means of spread is as a contaminant of soils and gravel’s used in road making and during road grading”. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992, p. 107)


Impact Assessment

RECREATION


1. Restrict human access? Grass 30 to 120 cm high. Low nuisance value to humans; not likely restrict access. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

2. Reduce tourism? “Found in disturbed soils on roadsides, railway tracks, river banks and waste places.” Apart from its nuisance value when accessing rivers, it is unlikely to affect tourism. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

3. Injurious to people? No recorded toxic effects

4. Damage to cultural sites? As a grass, this sp. unlikely to affect the structure of historical or cultural features. Presence is noticeable and it is, “capable of dominating the ground-flora on lighter soils.” Moderate visual effect. (Muyt, 2001 p. 70)

ABIOTIC


5. Impact flow? Although it grows on riverbanks, there is no indication it affects water flow. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

6. Impact water quality? Not known to affect water quality

7. Increase soil erosion? A cultivar of E. curvula complex is used in New South Wales to control soil erosion. “Some cultivars are still promoted for…soil stabilisation use.” (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001; Muyt, 2001 p. 70)

8. Reduce biomass? “…ultimately dominates sparse, overgrazed pastures.” “…dominating ground-flora on lighter soils.” Direct replacement of biomass. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001; Muyt, 2001 p. 70)

9. Change fire regime? Is recorded as a fire hazard in the Eurobodalla Shire in New South Wales. (ESC Factsheet)

COMMUNITY HABITAT


10(a) Impact on composition of high value EVC? EVC=Hills herb-rich woodland (E); CMA=Glenelg Hopkins; Bioreg=Victorian Volcanic Plain; VH CLIMATE potential. “…capable of dominating the ground-flora on lighter soils.” Major displacement of grasses/forbs. (Muyt, 2001 p. 70)

10(b) Impact on medium value EVC? EVC=Grassy dry forest (D); CMA=Glenelg Hopkins; Bioreg=Goldfields; VH CLIMATE potential “…infestations thin out over time under dense overstorey canopies.” Minor displacement of grasses. (Muyt, 2001 p. 70)

10(c) Impact on low value EVC? EVC=Heathy woodland (LC); CMA=Glenelg Hopkins; Bioreg=Greater Grampians; VH CLIMATE potential “…infestations thin out over time under dense overstorey canopies.” Major displacement of grasses/forbs. (Muyt, 2001 p. 70)

11. Impact on structure? It is “…capable of dominating the ground-flora on lighter, low-nutrient soils,” and thus likely to have a major effect on the lower stratum. (Muyt, 2001 p. 70)

12. Effect on threatened flora?

FAUNA


13. Effect on threatened fauna?

14. Effect on non-threatened fauna? Although a weed of disturbed neglected areas it also, “highly invasive in heathlands, woodlands, forests, grasslands and riverine environments.” It is highly persistent, dominant, and largely unpalatable, and therefore may have a minor negative impact on food sources for non-threatened fauna. This may lead to reduced populations. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001; Muyt, 2001 p. 70). "Biodiversity amongst native fauna is reduced, particularly birds." (Pers. Com. Jane l'Ons, 2012).

15. Benefits fauna? No recorded benefits. “Mature plants are largely unpalatable.” (Muyt, 2001 p. 70).


16. Injurious to fauna? There is no evidence of the plant having toxic properties. It does not produce any spines or burrs.

PEST ANIMAL


17. Food source to pests? No evidence of a food source for pest animals. "Mature plants are largely unpalatable." (Muyt, 2001 p. 70)

18. Provides harbor? Clumping nature of plant may provide limited harbour for rodents.

AGRICULTURE


19. Impact yield? "In arable areas, cultivation and cropping or the establishment of perennial pasture ...gives good control." The weed is unlikely to have a significant impact in well-managed paddocks. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

20. Impact quality? Is not recorded as a weed of cropping; no evidence of contamination in grass seed crop. Pasture hay is a known vector. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

21. Affect land values? In arable areas, its presence controlled with good pasture management practices. "...in non-arable areas, it may be better to utilise the plant as a pasture species." Little influence on land value. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

22. Change land use? The weed is not a problem in well managed pastures. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

23. Increase harvest costs? No evidence of increase in harvest costs

24. Disease host/vector? None evident.




Feedback:

Do you have additional information about this plant that will improve the quality of the assessment? If so, we would value your contribution.


Assessment ratings originally made by the Victorian Department of Primary Industries.
The entry of this assessment was made possible through the generous support of Martin and Jane I'Ons.






Attachments:
tn_african_lovegrass_tussock.jpg
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echium via ala.JPG
Capture.JPG
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Date: 12 May 2009; 4:29:07 PM AEST

Author Name: David Low
Author ID: adminDavid