Purple Lovegrass

Eragrostis spectabilis

Weed Description
A perennial grass weed with rhizomes that has a relatively large, open panicle that is purple in color. Purple lovegrass is primarily a weed of pastures, hayfields, and noncrop areas and is found throughout the southeastern United States.

Leaves
Leaves are rolled in the bud and may reach as much as 16 inches in length and are 2 to 11 mm wide. Both leaf surfaces usually have hairs, especially at the collar regions, but some plants can be found with leaves without hairs (glabrous). Ligules are membranous and are much less than 1 mm long. Auricles are absent.

Stems
Leaf sheaths are round and hairy, especially at the collar region.

Flowers
Seedhead an open panicle that may be as much as two-thirds the entire height of the plant. The panicles have a bright purple tint due to the individual purple spikelets that are approximately 1 to 6 mm long and 1 1/2 mm wide.

Roots
Rhizomes and a fibrous root system.

Identifying Characteristics
The distinctive purple panicle, low-growing habit, rhizomes, and leaves that have long hairs especially near the collar region are all characteristics that help to distinguish purple lovegrass from most other grass weeds.

Office of Programs

University of Missouri

Purple Lovegrass

Eragrostis spectabilis