Oahu Lovegrass
Eragrostis paupera
- Native to:
- Gilbert Is., Guam, Hawaii, Line Is., Phoenix Is., U.S. Minor Outlying Islands, United States
iNaturalist: © jordanmahr (iNaturalist #307141847)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Eragrostis
- Species:
- Eragrostis paupera
- USDA Symbol:
- ERPA2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 40 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep,oct
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- As a warm-season grass, likely resprouts from base after fire; typical of grassland fire regimes.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to arid and semi-arid regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Eragrostis seeds typically germinate readily with warmth and light; no pretreatment usually required.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds are soaked overnight in water. Seeds should be cleaned before they are sown.
Establishment: Indigenous to Hawai'i. Native to the pacific equatorial region. It is found on Kure, Midway and Pearl and Hermes atolls, French Frigate Shoals, and formerly at Barber's Point, O'ahu. Collect ripe or mature seeds from plants and place in zip-lock or plastic bags. Collect only what you need. Collect from plants that have a large enough seed source so that the habitat will not suffer from the collection.
Source: npn.rngr.net