Eragrostis bicolor: The Mysterious Lovegrass That’s Hard to Pin Down
If you’ve come across the name Eragrostis bicolor in your plant research, you might be scratching your head trying to find solid information about this particular grass species. You’re not alone! This member of the lovegrass genus is one of those botanical mysteries that keeps gardeners and plant enthusiasts guessing.
What We Know (And What We Don’t)
Eragrostis bicolor belongs to the Poaceae family, making it a true grass. The genus Eragrostis, commonly known as lovegrass, includes many species that are beloved by native plant gardeners for their delicate, airy appearance and wildlife value. However, when it comes to E. bicolor specifically, reliable documentation is surprisingly scarce.
The name suggests this might be a two-colored lovegrass (bicolor means two-colored in Latin), but without proper documentation, we can’t be certain of its appearance, native range, or growing requirements.
A Word of Caution for Plant Enthusiasts
Here’s where things get interesting (and a bit frustrating): the lack of readily available information about Eragrostis bicolor raises some red flags. This could mean several things:
- It might be an extremely rare or regionally specific species
- The name could be outdated or synonymous with another species
- It might be a misidentification or hybrid
- Documentation simply hasn’t made it into widely accessible databases
What Should Gardeners Do?
If you’re interested in adding lovegrasses to your garden, here’s my friendly advice: consider sticking with well-documented native Eragrostis species that we know will thrive in your area. Some popular and well-researched options include:
- Purple lovegrass (Eragrostis spectabilis) – a stunning native with purple-tinged seed heads
- Sand lovegrass (Eragrostis trichodes) – perfect for sandy soils and prairie gardens
- Plains lovegrass (Eragrostis intermedia) – excellent for naturalized areas
These alternatives offer the delicate beauty and wildlife benefits that make lovegrasses so appealing, plus you’ll have plenty of growing information and native plant sources available.
If You Think You Have Eragrostis bicolor
Found a plant labeled as E. bicolor at a nursery or in the wild? Here’s what I’d recommend:
- Take detailed photos and consult with local botanists or your cooperative extension office
- Verify the identification with multiple sources
- Check if it might be a regional common name for another Eragrostis species
- Consider having it properly identified before adding it to your garden
The Bottom Line
While the mystery of Eragrostis bicolor remains unsolved, it’s a great reminder that the plant world still holds secrets waiting to be properly documented and shared. Until we know more about this particular species, focus on the many wonderful, well-documented lovegrasses that can bring beauty and ecological value to your native garden.
Sometimes the best gardening advice is knowing when to say let’s wait and see – and this might be one of those times!
