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Weeping Lovegrass

Eragrostis curvula

Found in roadsides, disturbed areas, often planted for soil stabilization and then long-persistent. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), South Central edition What its natural habitat tells you

-15
Harmful

Not native to Mississippi. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 82%

Height
2–5 feet
Spread
2–3 feet
Light
Dappled sunlight, Partial shade
Soil moisture
Dry to moist
See native alternatives

Do not plant. Listed invasive in Mississippi.

Plant this instead

Choose your county to list local plants first.

  • Ravenfoot Sedge
    Carex crus-corvi

    Sun: Part to full shade. Soil: Average to moist. Flowers: Green.

    Similar growth form, height, evergreen or deciduous

  • Bitter Panicgrass
    Panicum amarum

    Sun: Full sun. Soil: Dry to moist. Flowers: Pink.

    Similar growth form, height, spread

  • Switchgrass
    Panicum virgatum

    Sun: Full sun, Partial shade. Soil: Somewhat dry to moist. Flowers: Yellow, pink, purple or red.

    Similar growth form, height, spread

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At a glance

Life cycle
Perennial
Bloom
April to July
Fruiting season
Spring to summer

Not yet recorded · Leaves

Recorded in 9 Mississippi counties.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

Roadsides, fields and disturbed ground

Ground opened by people: roadsides, old fields, pastures, fencerows and lots.

All habitats

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

7CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including MS

Genus host records with ranges including MS · Eragrostis

  • Heliocheilus turbataSpotted Straw Moth
  • Hesperia leonardusLeonard's Skipper, Blazing Star Skipper, Pawnee Prairie Skipper, Pawnee Montane Skipper
  • Hylephila phyleusFiery Skipper
  • Lon hobomokHobomok Skipper
  • Lon zabulonZabulon Skipper
  • Nastra fuscaNeamathla Skipper
  • Spodoptera frugiperdaFall Armyworm Moth
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
—BeesSoutheastern regional records
—Specialist beesPollen specialists
3BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Recorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim · Eragrostis

  • Calcarius lapponicusLapland Longspur
  • Callipepla gambeliiGambel's Quail
  • Meleagris gallopavoWild Turkey
Hurlbert, Olsen, Sawyer & Winner 2021, Avian Diet Database, Scientific Data 8: 260 (CC0)

Direct food only: birds recorded eating this genus across North America. Caterpillars on host plants also feed nesting birds. NC Native Plant Society: butterfly gardening

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Poaceae
Hardiness
Zones 6a–9b
Flower color
Yellow
Growth rate
Rapid
Growth habit
Grows in clumps
Foliage color
Green
Fruit begins
Spring
Fruit ends
Summer

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope
Also known as

Weeping Love Grass

Conservation status

Mississippi rankSNA
Global rankGNR
MS statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

Sources