Eragrostis spectabilis

Eragrostis spectabilis

Eragrostis spectabilis (Pursh) Steud.

Purple Lovegrass, Purple Love Grass, Purple Plains Lovegrass, Tumblegrass, Petticoat Climber

Poaceae (Grass Family)

Synonym(s): Eragrostis spectabilis var. sparsihirsuta, Poa spectabilis

USDA Symbol: ersp

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (I)

Purple plains lovegrass grows low to the ground in dense tufts, 8-18 in. tall. In late summer the fine-textured, stiff inflorescence appears like reddish-purple clouds hovering at ground level. Eventually this inflorescence breaks off and floats around like a tumbleweed. This is a perennial.

Purple plains lovegrass is a member of the family Poaceae. Grasses are herbs with cylindrical, jointed flowering stems (culms), hollow between the joints, leaves often mostly basal and tiny flowers aggregated into highly modified clusters.

Eragrostis spectabilis (Purple lovegrass) | Native Plants of North America (wildflower.org)

 

Eragrostis spectabilis 'Great Plains'

'Purpurflirren' Eragrostis spectabilis