Eragrostis

Eragrostis is a large and widespread genus of grasses, family Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Eragrostideae, found on all inhabited continents and many islands, commonly called lovegrass or canegrass, a name deriving from Greek words for love and grass. The genus principal use is as livestock fodder; teff, Eragrostis tef, is ground for traditional breads across the Horn of Africa, and some species are ornamental, while Bahia lovegrass is notable for hyperaccumulating radioactive cesium-137 and weeping lovegrass is used to prevent soil erosion. Various herbivores, from caterpillars to large animals, consume lovegrass, and its dense vegetation shelters small birds such as Botteri sparrow and serves as important groundcover on oceanic islands.