Soft Love Grass, Indian lovegrass
Eragrostis pilosa
Family: Poaceae or Gramineae
What it is like
Eragrostis pilosa is a ANNUAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in flower from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 0.6
Where it is found
Roadsides, waste places and old fields.
Warm Temperate regions.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
Seed - ground into a flour and used as a cereal. It is generally seen as a famine food, but is used regularly in some areas. The seed is very small and fiddly to utilize.
Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.
Medicine
Rating: 1
The plant is said to be an effective cure for contusions.
Vulnerary: Promotes the healing of wounds.
Other
Rating: 0
How it is grown
Succeeds in any good loam or humus-rich soil in a sunny position. Prefers a light soil. Plants are harvested (from the wild?) on a regular basis in E. Africa for their edible seed.
Propagating it: Seed - sow early spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. Germination should take place within 2 weeks. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out after the last expected frosts. The seed can also be sown in situ in mid to late spring, though in a cool summer it may fail to ripen many seeds.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Annual
Hardiness: 6-9
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Moist