Classification
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Eragrostis Wolf, Gen. Pl. [Wolf] Gen. Pl. [Wolf] 23 (1776)
Vernacular Name(s):
Love grass
 Description

Annuals or perennials, varying in habit but usually tufted. Leaf-sheath ± coriaceous, usually open, except near base. Ligule a rim of minute hairs, very rarely membranous. Leaf-blade narrow, flat, involute or convolute. Inflorescence an open or contracted, spiciform or glomerate panicle. Spikelets solitary, pedicelled, rarely sessile, usually laterally compressed, or subterete, 3-many-flowered, florets usually closely imbricating, disarticulation above glumes and between lemmas, or glumes and lemmas deciduous but paleas ± persistent. Glumes ± unequal, < lemmas, usually membranous, keeled, acute or acuminate; lower shorter, 1-nerved, upper 1–(3)-nerved. Lemma membranous to chart-aceous, keeled or rounded, 3-nerved with lateral nerves ± obscure, obtuse to acuminate, entire or rarely mucronate. Palea ≈ lemma, 2-keeled, keels sometimes ciliate. Lodicules 2, small, ± fleshy. Stamens (2)–3. Ovary glabrous; styles free; stigmas plumose. Caryopsis ovate-oblong or cylindric, sometimes angled; embryo to ½ length of caryopsis or longer; hilum basal, punctiform. Chasmogamous or cleistogamous. Fig. 21.

[From: Edgar and Connor (2000) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 5 (second printing).]

 Biostatus
Exotic
Number of species in New Zealand within Eragrostis Wolf
CategoryNumber
Indigenous (Non-endemic)1
Exotic: Fully Naturalised9
Exotic: Casual2
Total12
 Bibliography
Mabberley, D.J. 2008: Mabberley's plant book, a portable dictionary of plants, their classification and uses. Edition 3. Cambridge University Press.
Wolf, N.M. von 1776: Genera Plantarum Vocabulis Characteristicis Definita. Danzig.