Mexican Lovegrass
Eragrostis mexicana
Also known as: Eragrostis alba
- Native to:
- Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Galápagos, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panamá, Peru, United States, Uruguay
iNaturalist: © jmneiva (iNaturalist #90823540)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Eragrostis
- Species:
- Eragrostis mexicana
- USDA Symbol:
- ERME
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep,oct
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Leonard's skipper (Hesperia leonardus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from base after fire; typical of warm-season grasses adapted to periodic burning.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy or loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- commonly found in disturbed areas and grasslands
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily with warm temperatures and light. No pretreatment required.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI