Erianthus alopecuroides (L.) Ell.

Locations ofErianthus alopecuroides (L.) Ell. in Virginia

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Detail

Family
Poaceae
Botanical Name
Erianthus alopecuroides (L.) Ell.
Common Name
Silver Plumegrass, Woolly Plumegrass
Synonym(s)
Saccharum alopecuroideum (L.) Nutt.
Flora of Virginia Name/Status
Erianthus alopecuroides (L.) Ell.
Comments
Hodkinson et al. (J. Pl. Res. 115, 2002) developed molecular evidence that our native plume grasses (traditional New World Erianthus spp.) are not congeneric with Old World Saccharum. Instead, they form a poorly resolved clade with the African genus Miscanthidium Stapf 1908 and other genera. The relationship to Miscanthidium is very uncertain, but if combined, Erianthus Michx. 1803 has nomenclatural priority. There may be other interpretations once these groups are studied with more data (R. Soreng, pers. comm.). At least for now, Erianthus appears to be the best generic placement of our species.
Habitat
Dry to moist fields, meadows, clearings, roadsides, and woodlands influenced by prescribed or incendiary fires. Frequent in the s. and c. Piedmont; infrequent in the n. Piedmont and Coastal Plain; rare in the mountains.
Native Status
Native

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