Eragrostis refracta

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Eragrostis refracta
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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.
ERAG REFR dist.jpg
Natural range of Eragrostis refracta from USDA NRCS Plants Database.

Common name: Coastal lovegrass

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" - Radford et al 1964.

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." - Radford et al 1964.

Distribution

It is distributed from Deleware south to Florida, and west to Texas (Weakley 2015).

Ecology

Habitat

Is found in open longleaf pine woods, open woodlands[2] 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[2].

Associated species include Composites, legumes, and grasses. Also Eriocaulon lineare and Lachnocaulon minus[2].

Phenology

Has been observed flowering and fruiting from September to November[2].


Conservation and Management

Cultivation and restoration

Photo Gallery

References and notes

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.

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.

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.

  1. 1.0 1.1 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. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 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.