Eragrostis refracta
| Eragrostis refracta | |
|---|---|
| |
| Photo and permission granted by George Rogers and John Bedford, Florida Grasses.org | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Magnoliophyta - Flowering plants |
| Class: | Liliopsida – Monocotyledons |
| Order: | Cyperales |
| Family: | Poaceae ⁄ Gramineae |
| Genus: | Eragrostis |
| Species: | E. refracta |
| Binomial name | |
| Eragrostis refracta (Muhl.) Scribn. | |
| |
| Natural range of Eragrostis refracta from USDA NRCS Plants Database. | |
Common name: Coastal lovegrass
Contents
Taxonomic notes
Synonym: Eragrostis virginica (Zuccagni) Steudel
Description
Weakley states that some authors have taken up the older name E. virginica, as a synonym for E. refracta, but the application of synonymy is uncertain[1].
Generally, for the Eragrostis genus, they are "annuals or perennials from short rhizomes or hardened bases. Glumes similar, shorter than lowest lemma. Florets more than 2. Lemmas 3-nerved, paleas persistent, ciliate" [2].
Specifically, for Eragrostis refracta species, they are "cespitose perennial from hardened base; culms 3-10 dm tall, nodes and internodes glabrous. Leaves primarily low cauline; blades elongate, to 2.5 dm long, 1.5-4 mm wide, pilose above, glabrous beneath, margins scaberulous; sheaths glabrous; ligules membranous, 0.1-0.2 mm long, long trichomes in throat. Panicle loose, open ½-3/4 height of the plant, ½ to as broad as long; branches flexuous, scaberulous. Spikelets with dark margins and light centers, 4-22 flowered, lateral spikelets longer than pedicels, appressed, 8-13 mm long, 1.5-1.8 mm wide. Glumes 1-nerved, scabrous keeled, acuminate, 1st glume 0,8-1.3 mm long, 2nd glume 1.5-2 mm long; lemmas scabrous keeled, acuminate, 1.5-1.8 mm long; paleas 1-1.5 mm long. Grain reddish, oblong, 0.5-0.7 mm long." [2].
Distribution
It is distributed from Deleware south to Florida, and west to Texas[1].
Ecology
Habitat
Is found in open longleaf pine woods, open woodlands[3] and in pineland, savannas, bogs and seeds, and marshes[1]. Is also found along the roadside edges. Requires high light levels. Is associated with areas with dry sand or dry, loamy sand soil types[3].
Associated species include Composites, legumes, and grasses. Also Eriocaulon lineare and Lachnocaulon minus[3].
Phenology
Has been observed flowering and fruiting from September to November[3].
Conservation and management
Cultivation and restoration
Photo Gallery
Seedhead of Eragrostis refracta Photo and permission granted by George Rogers and John Bedford, Florida Grasses.org
Spikes of Eragrostis refracta Photo and permission granted by George Rogers and John Bedford, Florida Grasses.org
References and notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Weakley, Alan S. Flora of the Southern and Mid-Atlantic States: Working Draft of 21 May 2015. University of North Carolina Herbarium (NCU). PDF. 406.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Radford, Albert E., Harry E. Ahles, and C. Ritchie Bell. Manual of the Vascular Flora of the Carolinas. 1964, 1968. The University of North Carolina Press. 66-71. Print.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Florida State University Robert K. Godfrey Herbarium database. URL: http://herbarium.bio.fsu.edu. Last accessed: June 2014. Collectors: Loran C. Anderson, J. M. Kane, Cindi Stewart, - MacClendons, and Annie Schmidt. States and Counties: Florida: Gadsden, Jackson, Liberty, and Suwannee. Georgia: Thomas.
