VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Eragrostis lehmanniana | Lehmann Lovegrass 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Lehmann lovegrass's greatest forage value for cattle is its ability to
produce more green herbage in the winter and early spring than native
grasses.  At this time of the year it is readily grazed [7,16].

In southeastern Arizona, the Hispid cotton rat and the Botteri's sparrow
were found to be more abundant in stands of African lovegrasses (E.
lehmanniana and E. curvula) than in native grasslands.  This is
apparently because the exotic grasses mimic native grassland habitats
prefered by these wildlife species.  However, other desert grassland
birds and rodents were less abundant in stands of the exotic lovegrasses
[4].


PALATABILITY : 
The palatability of Lehmann lovegrass for cattle is low during the
summer and it is generally lightly grazed at that time [12,16].  Cattle
make greater use of this grass during fall, winter, and spring because
the foliage remains green longer than most native grasses [12,30].


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
Lehmann lovegrass's nutritional importance to livestock is greatest in
the winter when its crude protein content is higher than that of many
native warm-season grasses [30].

The National Academy of Sciences [21] lists fresh, mature, aerial
portions of Lehmann lovegrass as having the following crude and
digestible protein contents:

        protein (N x 6.25) = 6.7 %
        digestible protein for cattle = 3.6 %
        digestible protein for goats = 2.8 %
        digestible protein for horses = 3.2 %
        digestible protein for rabbits = 3.8 %
        digestible protein for sheep = 3.2 %


COVER VALUE : 
Small birds of Southwestern grasslands, such as the eastern
meadowlark and several species of sparrows, nest in stands of Lehmann
lovegrass, but it is not preferred habitat and they more frequently nest
in native grasses [3].  


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
Lehmann lovegrass has been widely used for roadside stabilization and
range restoration in the Chihuahuan and Sonoran deserts [30].  The
Highway Division of the Arizona Department of Transportation uses
Lehmann lovegrass in seed mixes with other grasses to minimize erosion
and sediment damage to highways during construction [5].  Several
cultivars are available [28].  


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
NO-ENTRY


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Establishment:  Lehmann lovegrass is fairly easy to establish on adapted
sites.  Most cultivars are adapted for semiarid environments below 4,500
feet (1,372 m) in elevation which receive at least 10 to 12 inches
(25-30 cm) of annual precipitation [28].  The best time for planting in
Arizona is just prior to summer rains.  The light-sensitive seeds should
be shallowly buried in sand, loamy sand, or sandy loam soils only.
Seedlings generally do not emerge from seed planted on silt loam, loam,
or clay loam soils regardless of planting depth [10].  Details for
drilling or broadcasting Lehmann lovegrass seed have been outlined [1].
Planted areas should not be grazed for 2 years to allow the new
seedlings to become well established [16].

Concern:  People interested in maintaining native grasslands are
concerned about Lehmann lovegrass's aggressive, spreading habit, and the
displacement of native grasses.  Winn [33] suggested that where control
is warranted, Lehmann lovegrass may be killed with herbicide
applications, followed by seeding of native species.

Related categories for Species: Eragrostis lehmanniana | Lehmann Lovegrass