Eragrostis echinochloidea -- California

Erogrostis echinochloidea Staph (Poaceae), commonly African lovegrass, is a perennial grass that can reach up to a meter tall. It is native to arid regions of South Africa and has been newly documented in California as of 2020. It has been slowly spread throughout the southwest in Arizona and Mexico where it was introduced the 1940's, possibly with the Soil Conservation Service, and favors disturbed sites, roadsides, clay flats, grassy flats, slopes, river margins, cultivated areas, parking lots, sidewalks, gravel, near highways, vacant lots and cattle farms. Erogrostis echinochloidea primarily reproduces sexually through germination, and while has the potential for asexual, or vegetative, reproduction, it is slow spreading. This species is considered introduced or naturalized where it is found, likely because of it's slow growth rates. Here, we find that it should be considered a species of concern in climates like California's, likely for its ecological preferences, ability to generate a high number of viable seeds, long flowering period, because it can contribute to fine fuels that drive wildfires, and because it's adaptation to regions drier than California. Members of the Eragrostis genus have been found to be adapted to fire and can re-sprout vigorously after burning. This species is moderately palatable to livestock and has not been found to be toxic. Recommended mechanisms for removal of species in this genus that are considered invasive include include grazing, herbicide treatments, mechanical, and manual removal.